Finding apostrophes a bit tricky? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
Many people get confused by where to put them, but with a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it. This guide will help you understand them in a simple way.
This guide’ll teach you what they are in simple plain language and there’s practice tasks (complete with answers) to help you nail every apostrophe!
There are two types:
One for showing that something belongs to someone (possession) e.g Jane’s car
and another…
One for joining two words together (contractions) e.g. is not becomes isn’t
Let’s jump into the first one!
OR you can skip to apostrophes for contractions
Part 1:
Apostrophes for Possession
What is a Possessive Apostrophe?
Definition: A possessive apostrophe shows that something belongs to someone or something.
Examples:
The normal way…
Ending the word with an [apostrophe] + [s]
1. The dog’s bone.
This means the bone belongs to the dog.
The apostrophe goes before the s in dog’s to show this.
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE #1: IF words end in the letter S
…then we don’t add an extra ‘S’
2. James‘ book.
This means the book belongs to James.
(It would look strange written as James’s)
So, we just put an apostrophe after the s in James to make James’
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE #2: It
The word ‘it’ is a pronoun
Sometimes we need to show that something belongs to ‘it’ BUT we…
NEVER write [it’s] to show possession
because…
That would mean ‘it is’
3. He looked at its wheel.
This means the wheel belongs to it BUT we have not used an apostrophe.
It’s just a strange rule to avoid confusion!
How to Find and Fix a Missing Possessive Apostrophe:
STEP 1. Find the names and things:
• Look for people, animals, or things, like dog, Sarah, or cat.
STEP 2. Ask if something belongs to them:
• For each word, ask, “Does this thing belong to them?”
• Example: The dog bone is missing. Does the bone belong to the dog? Yes! So, it should be The dog’s bone.
STEP 3. Add the apostrophe:
• If it belongs to them, add an apostrophe before the s, like dog’s or Sarah’s.
• If i the word ends in ‘s’ then don’t add an extra ‘s’ e.g. James’ or the Brazilians’.
STEP 4. Check the whole sentence:
• Make sure all the possessive apostrophes are in the right place.
Practice Task: Insert the Apostrophes for Possession
Let’s put what you just learnt into practice. Put the apostrophe in the right place in each sentence:
1. The cats fur is soft.
2. The teachers desk is tidy.
3. The dogs bowl is empty.
4. The boys football is flat.
5. Mums car is blue.
6. The babys toy is broken.
7. The birds nest is high up.
8. The friends game was fun.
9. The horses mane is long.
10. The books cover is torn.
11. Dads hat is on the table.
12. The childrens playground is big.
13. The trees leaves are falling.
14. The cats whiskers are twitching.
15. The ladys handbag is red.
Answers for Practice Task:
1. The cat’s fur is soft.
2. The teacher’s desk is tidy.
3. The dog’s bowl is empty.
4. The boy’s football is flat.
5. Mum’s car is blue.
6. The baby’s toy is broken.
7. The bird’s nest is high up.
8. The friend’s game was fun.
9. The horse’s mane is long.
10. The book’s cover is torn.
11. Dad’s hat is on the table.
12. The children’s playground is big.
13. The tree’s leaves are falling.
14. The cat’s whiskers are twitching.
15. The lady’s handbag is red.
Extra Practice
1. The dogs tail wagged.
2. The childs toy was missing.
3. The girls dress was blue.
4. The elephants trunk was long.
5. The lions roar was loud.
6. The plants leaves were green.
7. The mans hat blew away.
8. The sisters book was interesting.
9. The foxs fur was red.
10. The womans voice was calm.
Answers for Extra Practice:
1. The dog’s tail wagged.
2. The child’s toy was missing.
3. The girl’s dress was blue.
4. The elephant’s trunk was long.
5. The lion’s roar was loud.
6. The plant’s leaves were green.
7. The man’s hat blew away.
8. The sister’s book was interesting.
9. The fox’s fur was red.
10. The woman’s voice was calm.
Part 2:
Apostrophes for Contractions
What is a Contraction Apostrophe?
Definition: A contraction apostrophe is used when two words are joined together, and some letters are missing.
Examples:
1. Don’t:
• Don’t is short for do not. The apostrophe replaces the missing o.
2. I’m:
• I’m is short for I am. The apostrophe replaces the missing a.
3. She’s:
• She’s is short for She is or She has. The apostrophe replaces the missing i or ha.
How To Find a Missing Contraction Apostrophe:
STEP 1. Look for two words stuck together:
• Check if two words are combined into one.
• Example: Hes going home might be He is going home. The apostrophe should replace the missing letter, making it He’s.
STEP 2. Say the words out loud:
• Try saying the sentence out loud. If it sounds like two words have been squished together, there should be an apostrophe.
STEP 3. Add the apostrophe:
• Place the apostrophe where the letters are missing.
• Example: Cant becomes Can’t (short for Cannot).
STEP 4. Check the whole sentence again:
• Look at each word to make sure any contractions have their apostrophes in the right places.
Practice Task
Let’s put what you just learnt into practice. Put the apostrophe for contraction in the right place in each sentence:
1. I cant find my shoes.
2. She isnt here today.
3. Youre my best friend.
4. Hes going to the park.
5. Theyre eating lunch.
6. Im really tired.
7. Wont you come with us?
8. Its going to rain.
9. Weve been waiting for ages.
10. Shes playing outside.
11. You shouldnt touch that.
12. Ill see you tomorrow.
13. He didnt know the answer.
14. Were going on holiday.
15. Thats my favourite toy.
Answers Practice Task
1. I can’t find my shoes.
2. She isn’t here today.
3. You’re my best friend.
4. He’s going to the park.
5. They’re eating lunch.
6. I’m really tired.
7. Won’t you come with us?
8. It’s going to rain.
9. We’ve been waiting for ages.
10. She’s playing outside.
11. You shouldn’t touch that.
12. I’ll see you tomorrow.
13. He didn’t know the answer.
14. We’re going on holiday.
15. That’s my favourite toy.
Extra Practice
1. I didnt see you there.
2. Whos going to the party?
3. Theyll be here soon.
4. Hes been working hard.
5. Shes not feeling well.
6. Youve done a great job.
7. I havent finished my homework.
8. Well go to the park later.
9. Its been a long day.
10. Thats the best idea.
Answers For Extra Practice:
1. I didn’t see you there.
2. Who’s going to the party?
3. They’ll be here soon.
4. He’s been working hard.
5. She’s not feeling well.
6. You’ve done a great job.
7. I haven’t finished my homework.
8. We’ll go to the park later.
9. It’s been a long day.
10. That’s the best idea.
Conclusion
Okay, so we have learnt that:
While you are practising, make sure to check over your work in two special extra separate passes in addition to your regular spelling punctuation and grammar checks.
Firstly, skim over your work and focus on apostrophes for possession and then skim over again but this time for contraction.
Bookmark ad keep coming back to this page to remind yourself about the steps needed to find them.
Eventually you’ll become confident and will pick up on apostrophes more naturally as part of your SPaG checks.
With these steps and practice, you’ll become an expert at using apostrophes in no time! Just remember to take it slow and check each word carefully.
For more tips on analysing LANGUAGE, check out our incredible GCSE English Language Analysis | EASY Beginner’s Grade 9 Guide.
If you want to learn more about analysing STRUCTURE, visit our incredible GCSE English Structure Analysis | EASY Grade 9 Guide
Need to learn about analysing Form? Visit our incredible GCSE English Form Analysis | EASY Beginner’s Grade 9 Guide.
Keep practising, stay curious, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering analysis in no time. Happy studying!
Peace.
The Oxbridge GCSE Tutor.
