ACT Handout #7 DO NOT THROW THIS AWAY! Put This in Your ACT File

ACT Handout #7 DO NOT THROW THIS AWAY! Put This in Your ACT File

ACT Handout #7 DO NOT THROW THIS AWAY! Put this in your ACT file

APOSTROPHES

RULE #1: Do not add an apostrophe to form the plural of a noun. (Plural means more than one.) INCORRECT: The four horse's pulled the wagon.

CORRECT: The four horses pulled the wagon.

EXCEPTION TO RULE #1: Add an apostrophe when you make a number or a letter plural. EXAMPLE: CD's 6's A's '80's

RULE #2: To show possession with a singular noun, add an apostrophe and an "s." (Possessive: showing ownership)

EXAMPLES: The girl's coat The dog's leash The boss's car

In words with more than one syllable that end in "s," just add the apostrophe.

EXAMPLES: The witness' testimony Mrs. Nichols' car Odysseus' travels

RULE #3: To show possession with a plural noun ending in "s," add only the apostrophe.

EXAMPLES: The girls' team The marines' uniforms The students' projects

A few plural nouns that do not end in "s," need an apostrophe and an "s."

EXAMPLES: The women's tournament The children's playground

RULE #4: If the "owner" comes AFTER the possession, DON'T put an apostrophe.

INCORRECT: The projects of the students'

CORRECT: The projects of the students or The students' projects

RULE #5: Personal pronouns do not require an apostrophe. (his, hers, its, ours, yours, theirs)

INCORRECT: We thought the pyramid project was her's.

CORRECT: We thought the pyramid project was hers.

INCORRECT: The cat has not eaten it's food.

CORRECT: The cat has not eaten its food .

INCORRECT: Who's notebook is this?

CORRECT: Whose notebook is this?

RULE #6: Indefinite pronouns (everyone, someone, everybody, somebody, etc.) require an apostrophe and an "s" to make them possessive.

EXAMPLES: Everyone's vote counts equally.

Somebody's biology book was left in my car.

RULE #7: CONTRACTIONS: Use an apostrophe to show where letters, words, or numbers

Do not confuse CONTRACTIONS with POSSESSIVE pronouns:
Who's (who is) next? It's (it is) the neighbor’s cat.
Whose coat is this? The cat ate its dinner.

There's (there is) the cat. You're (you are) late.
That cat is theirs. Your report is late.
They're (they are) here. Their car is here.

RULE #8: When an item is jointly owned, put the ‘safter the last noun only.

EXAMPLE: Mary and Fred's new puppy is a poodle. (Mary and Fred own the puppy together.) EXAMPLE: Steve's and Jim's assignments were incomplete. (Each boy had hisownassignment.)

PRACTICE: If the possessive case is correct, write “C”before the number. If it is incorrect, make the corrections.

  1. everyones food 9. the offices of the lawyers
  2. bus' windows 10. the Gibb's home
  3. childrens' books 11. the nation's debts
  4. this school's reputation 12. the uniforms of the players
  5. Is this your's? 13. The dog found it's way home.
  6. a girl's or a boy's bike 14. babies' toys
  7. The loss is ours. 15. the works of medieval poets

8. soldiers knapsacks 16. the flower's scent

Put apostrophes in the following sentences. Some words have incorrect apostrophes. If a sentence is already correct, write C in the margin.

  1. The countrys national language's are Pilipino and English.
  2. Did you know that the yo-yo's earliest use was a weapon in the jungle's of the Philippine's?
  3. Both Kim and Marthas lunches came with dessert.
  4. Tina's and Phil's plans to visit the Philippines was postponed.
  1. Whosegoing to be at Leon and Joshs party?
  2. Is the doctors appointment at nine oclock?
  3. Its extremely cold, so Susie didnt think she would come.
  4. The class of 07 was lined up to receive they're diplomas.
  5. Tess had all e's and D's on her report card's; her mother was furious;
  6. Tom earned 8s and 9s in the competition out of a possible 10.
  7. Marys coming late.
  1. (You're, Your) sure that (you're your) allowed to bring (you're, your) book to the exam?
  2. (Whose, Who's) idea was it to visit the museum during (you're, your) trip?
  3. (They're, Their) trying to sell (they're, their) house.
  4. (It's, Its) Peter (whose, who's) always late.
  5. (It's, Its) the best one of (it's, its) kind.
  6. Do you know (whose, who's) responsible for (they're, their) confusion?
  7. I hope the dog can find (it's; its) way (their, there).
  8. I know (you're, your) upset with the plan, but (it's, its) the only way to solve the problem.
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