Using the Apostrophe

1. Using the Apostrophe

2. Write out the following, putting in all the apostrophes required: • A hen is only an eggs way of making other eggs. • ‘Why do demons and ghouls get along so well? Because demons are a ghouls best friend!’ • Because of the two companies merger, each companys employees have had to be issued with a new employers contract.

3. The apostrophe to tell who is the owner! • The apostrophe is used to show that something belongs to someone or something: • The bird (its) song • The bird’s song.

4. Where does the apostrophe go? • Ask yourself ‘Who is the owner?’ and put the apostrophe after the last letter of the owner’s name. If only one person owns something use ‘s ‘Where is Hadrian’s wall?’ ‘Please Miss, on the side of Hadrian’s house.’

5. If more than one person owns something, add the apostrophe after the s: ‘Mum there’s a man at the door collecting for the old folks’ home.’ ‘Well, give him your grandfather.’

6. If two or more named people own something, use ‘s after the last person only: Mary and Jim’s new car is a Volkswagen.

7. If the plural word of the owner does not end in s, use apostrophe s: Women’s guesses are much more accurate than men’s certainties.

8. If a person’s name or profession already ends in s, use a second s only if you would sound it when speaking: ‘Boss the actress Catherine Zeta Jones’ leg was broken in a car accident!’ ‘O.K. Take down this headline: “Actress’s broken leg hits box office!”’

9. You need an apostrophe for ownership even when there are no people or animals: • Monday’s child is fair of face. (Monday (its) child) • The man who is everybody’s friend is nobody’s. (Nobody his friend= nobody’s friend, because nobody has ownership).

10. Note the placing of the apostrophe in words ending in ‘y’ and ‘ies’: Try to reduce an enemy’s hatred, before it spreads to enemies’ hatreds.

11. Check your answers!!! • A hen is only an egg’s way of making other eggs. • ‘Why do demons and ghouls get along so well? Because demons are a ghoul’s best friend!’ • Because of the two companies’ merger, each company’s employees have had to be issued with a new employer’s contract.

12. Now try this one: • During our drama groups regular visits to an open prison, the prisoners heckling was a challenge to the actors self-control. On one occasion it was completely shattered. ‘But, Mum,’ ran the line, ‘I am innocent!’ Back came the chorus of two hundred voices: ‘So was I mate!’

13. Were you correct? • During our drama group’s regular visits to an open prison, the prisoners’ heckling was a challenge to the actors’ self-control. On one occasion it was completely shattered. ‘But, Mum,’ ran the line, ‘I am innocent!’ Back came the chorus of two hundred voices: ‘So was I mate!’