Apostrophe PossessionSet 16
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use apostrophes for plural possessives?
To form the plural possessive of a noun, first make the noun plural, then add an apostrophe and an 's'. For example, "the cats' toys" indicates the toys belong to multiple cats.
What is the correct way to use apostrophes for singular possessives?
For singular possessives, add an apostrophe and an 's' to the end of the noun, such as "the dog's bone." If the singular noun ends in 's', you can add just an apostrophe, like "the boss' desk."
How do apostrophes differ in contractions versus possessives?
In contractions, an apostrophe replaces omitted letters, such as "don't" for "do not." In possessives, an apostrophe indicates ownership, such as "the teacher's book."
What is the rule for apostrophe placement in possessive compound nouns?
For compound nouns, the apostrophe goes after the last word to show possession, such as "my sister-in-law's car." If both possess, each gets an apostrophe, like "my parents-in-law's house."
How do you handle apostrophes with plural nouns ending in 's'?
For plural nouns ending in 's', add only an apostrophe to indicate possession, such as "the dogs' toys." This rule applies to regular plurals and irregular plurals ending in 's' like "the children's books."