Does the word have more than one meaning?
Can you use the word in a sentence?
Do you know the meaning of the word?
Do you know how to spell it?
Can you relate the word to any of your subjects?
Can you define the word to a friend?
If you can use the word of the week in any of your lessons then you will be rewarded!
Apostrophes can be used to fill in for missing letters in a word (contractions):
She has = she’s
You are = you’re
I am = I’m
The apostrophe goes wherever the letter or letters have been removed.
An apostrophe can also be used to show who or what something belongs to:
Imran’s shoes.
The ladies’ hats.
The men’s coats.
As you can see above, if the owner is singular (like Imran), you put an apostrophe at the end, then add “s”.
If the owners are plural and end in “s” (like ladies), you just add an apostrophe after the “s”.
If the owners are plural but don’t end in “s” (like men), you add an apostrophe followed by an “s”.
Top Tip: Singular = 1 Plural = more than 1!
Year 7 Task
Can you identify where the apostrophe should go in the following sentences?
Im good at climbing, but youre even better.
Hes not here, so weve phoned him.
Add an apostrophe and “s” (where necessary) in these phrases.
The book pages.
The children books.
The girls jackets.
Year 7 Answers
I’m good at climbing, but you’re even better.
He’s not here, so we’ve phoned him.
Add an apostrophe and “s” (where necessary) in these phrases.
The book’s pages.
The children’s books.
The girls’ jackets.
Year 8 Task
Read the poem. Then, re-write the poem placing the apostrophes in the correct
places.
Roger McGough, 1976
twould be nice to be
an apostrophe
floating above an s
hovering like a paper kite
in between the its
eavesdropping, tiptoeing
high above the thats
an inky comet
spiralling
the highest tossed
of hats
Year 8 Answers
Roger McGough, 1976
‘twould be nice to be
an apostrophe
floating above an s
hovering like a paper kite
in between the it’s
eavesdropping, tiptoeing
high above the that’s
an inky comet
spiralling
the highest tossed
of hats
Year 9 Task
Add an apostrophe to the following sentences:
1. Roberts mother.
2. I cant believe that were back at school already!
3. When I have guests they always use the visitors washroom.
4. A good days work.
5. My mum doesnt allow me to talk to Sarah.
6. The Prime Ministers Press Secretary.
7. Its hard being a teenager.
8. Thomas red jacket.
Explain to the person sat next to you, the correct uses of the
apostrophe.
Year 9 Answers
Answers:
1. Robert’s mother.
2. I can’t believe that we’re back at school already!
3. When I have guests they always use the visitors’ washroom.
4. A good day’s work.
5. My mum doesn’t allow me to talk to Sarah.
6. The Prime Minister’s Press Secretary.
7. It’s hard being a teenager.
8. Thomas’ red jacket.
The apostrophe is used to show belonging and it is used to show
letters that have been omitted.
Year 10 Task
Look at the signs below. Discuss with the person sat next to you why they are
incorrect. Can you re-write them in the correct way?
Year 10 Answers
Cakes for all occasions sign:
None of the words in the list
need apostrophes as they
are plurals.
Pizza Hut Sign:
The word customers does
not need an apostrophe
before the “s”. There is
nothing to follow that
belongs to the customer.
Your should be you’re as it is short for
‘you are.’
Apostrophe needed before
the “s” as it is short for ‘Let
us..’
The blue sign:
This one does
not need an
apostrophe as
the word ‘signs’
is plural.
Year 11 Task
Spot the Apostrophe Catastrophes!
1. My car’s a Ford. Whats your’s?
2. Ethel claimed that the jacket was her’s.
3. Pay nothing til’ after Easter.
4. Seasons Greetings from sainsbury’s.
5. It’s the countries largest supermarket.
6. Railtrack welcome’s you to Leeds City Station.
7. Pupils expectations today are too low.
8. The campaign collapsed during it’s final stages.
Year 11 Answers
Spotted!
1. An apostrophe is required in what’s (what is) but not in yours.
2. No apostrophe in hers.
3. The apostrophe should be moved in front of ‘til to indicate the
abbreviation of until.
4. A possessive apostrophe is required in Season’s.
5. Should be country’s.
6. No apostrophe in welcomes.
7. The plural pupils’ requires a possessive apostrophe.
8. Its is a possessive pronoun which has no apostrophe.