Apostrophes for possession
Apostrophes for possession.
To show something belongs to one
or more people
Examples
Can you see the
dog’s owner?
Can you see
the dogs’
owner?
Apostrophes for possession - to show
something belongs to one person
Helens skirt was pretty.
Helen’s skirt was pretty.
The dogs lead is red.
The dog’s lead is red.
Mondays class is busy.
Monday’s class is busy.
The boys crying was very
loud.
The boy’s crying was
very loud.
Apostrophes for possession - to show
something belongs to more than one person
The farmers market is very
busy.
The farmers’ market is
very busy.
The dogs leads are on
the hook.
The dogs’ leads are on
the hook.
The customers trolleys
were dirty.
The customers’ trolleys
were dirty.
The girls bedrooms are
messy.
The girls’ bedrooms are
messy.
Where should the apostrophe go?
Janes shoes
Jane’s shoes
Nick’s new car
The cat’s whiskers
The horses’ stables
Nicks new car
The cats whiskers (one cat)
The horses stables (6 horses)
The villains boat (lots of
villains)
The villains’ boat
Apostrophes for possession.
Apostrophes are also used to show possession.
Mrs Smith’s computer – the computer belongs to
Mrs Smith and there is only one Mrs Smith,
so the apostrophe goes before the ‘s’
Some common errors involving
apostrophes;
I see these sort of errors all
the time. Can you spot
them?
Fish and chip’s
Fish and chips
The car’s were on the road.
The cars were on the road.
Half price clothe’s
Half price clothes
I saw a dog with it’s bone.
I saw a dog with its bone.
Lucys book’s were on the table.
Lucy’s books were on the table.
More possessive apostrophes;
Oliver’s book bag – the book bag belongs to
Oliver.
Bob’s football boots – the boots belong to Bob.
Julie’s toy dalek – the dalek belongs to Julie.
When things belong to more than one
person;
When more than one person is involved, the
apostrophe comes after the ‘s’.
The boys’ cloakroom – more than one boy.
The players’ changing room – more than one player.
The teachers’ staffroom – more than one teacher.
Words that already end in s
• The pen that belongs to James
• becomes
• James’ pen
• There is no need to add apostrophe s after
the word James – it gives you too many s
sounds.James is singular and the s forms part
of his name at all times.