Many people get confused about apostrophes.

 

 

They are used for two main reasons: contraction and possession.

 

1) Contraction (sometimes called omission) is the term used when words are shortened by missing out letters.

For example:

can not / can't

I am / I'm

she is / she's

 

2) Possession means ownership and this is the area that a lot of people have trouble with.

The apostrophe comes before the 's' if there is only only one person involved.

the boy's toys

 

If there is more than one boy then the apostrophe comes after the 's'.

the boys' toys

 

 

Some plural nouns don't end in 's' so the apostrophe comes after the noun but before the 's'.

the children's toys

 

Many people put an apostrophe when they make a singular noun into a plural noun but this is not correct.

Cream tea's £3.50. (Incorrect)

 

One huge tip when using apostrophes to show possession ..... check that the apostrophe works by using a finger to cover the apostrophe  and everything that comes after it. If the apostrophe is in the correct place then you should be left with the name of the owner. 

 

For example:

In 'the children's school', the apostrophe  is correct because if you cover the apostrophe, you're left with the owner - children. If it had said 'the childrens' school' it would have been wrong because the owner would be childrens - which isn't a word!

 

 

Also, in 'James's car' the apostrophe is correct because the owner's name is left if you cover the apostrophe - James. If it had been 'Jame's car' it would be wrong because the owner would be Jame - which isn't a name!

 

 

Let's get started on the questions now!