An apostrophe is a type of punctuation that is typically used to indicate possession or ownership of something or someone.
 The apostrophe sign (‘) serves as the indicator….

Apostrophe Literary Device

An apostrophe is a type of punctuation that is typically used to indicate possession or ownership of something or someone.
Additionally, it can be used to create contractions and denote missing letters and digits.

How to use an Apostrophe?

One could describe an apostrophe as having multiple uses. An apostrophe’s main use is to show that something or someone is owned by someone else. Other uses for contractions include showing the plural form of letters and numerals, marking a missing letter or number, and more….

Apostrophe Sign

In English, the apostrophe sign (‘) is used for this. It is a crucial punctuation mark that is frequently misapplied in English. When some letters have been removed from a word (as in contractions like “she’s,” “it’s,” etc.), an apostrophe is used to indicate this. In addition to designating the plural form of lowercase letters, the apostrophe symbol can also be used to represent the possessive form of a noun (possessive apostrophe, i.e. John’s books,…)

Apostrophe Examples

It’s possible to see how apostrophes serve many purposes. Examine the examples below to see how an apostrophe carries out each of its several roles.
The apostrophe in names

    Everyone keeps telling me that I am my mom’s daughter in every way.
    Rincy’s dog went missing yesterday.
    Did you find his bike’s keys?
    Susan’s father got a job in the United Arab Emirates.
    Are you the teacher’s pet?…

Use of an Apostrophe to Form Contractions

    Don’t you think you can finish it by next week?
    They weren’t at the hotel.
    I’m willing to help you out with your project if you wish.
    Shouldn’t they be here by now?
    She kept saying that it wasn’t her fault.

Use of an Apostrophe to Indicate Missing Letters and Numbers.

    We did it a li’l differently.
    She was definitely o’er the top when the results were announced.
    The kids of the ‘90s are different from every other generation.
    From ‘89 – ‘93, I was studying in Delhi.
    I could not make it to the event ‘cause I was not keeping well…

Use of Apostrophe with Compound Nouns or Hyphenated Nouns to Show Possession

    My father-in-law’s sister came home today.
    The twelve-year-old’s parents were asked to meet the Principal.
    Yesterday was my great-grandfather’s 100th birthday.
    Everybody loved my great-grandmother’s recipe for chocolate brownies.
    My would-be’s plan to come to meet me changed because of the rain….

Directions: Change the “_______ of _______” phrases into possessive noun phrases
using an apostrophe.
Example:: That is the house of David.  That is David’s house.
1) This is the shoe of the girl.  ____________________________________________.
2) We are at the room of the hotel.  ________________________________________.
3) He is the son of Marcus.  ______________________________________________.
4) This is the house of Julie and Juan._____________________________________.
 5)  Please close the door of the car.  ________________________________________.
6) The flowers of the plant are red.  ________________________________________.
7) The website of the College is confusing.  __________________________________.
8) I want to play the guitar of Ernesto.  _____________________________________.
9) Do you want to walk to the side of the river?  ______________________________.
10) I want to ride in the car of Bobbie.

Directions: Use apostrophes in the following sentences to make contractions.
Example: I am your friend.  I’m your friend.
1) I do not like vanilla ice cream.  _________________________________________.
2) I am going to the mall.  ________________________________________________.
3) Who is the new student?  ______________________________________________.
4) They are my best friends. ___________________________________________
5) We are not waiting in the line.  __________________________________________.
6) She will be the class president.  _________________________________________.
7) He should not worry so much.  __________________________________________.
8) They will be here in fifteen minutes.  _____________________________________.
9) Where is my blue book?  ______________________________________________.
10) She does not eat spinach.  ________________________________

Rules

1. If there is one owner the apostrophe goes before the s.
• The man’s coat got soaking wet in the rain.
• Patrick’s alarm clock did not go off so he was late for work.

2. If there is more than one owner the apostrophe goes after the s
(unless the plural noun does not end in an s – see rule 3 below)
• The girls’ coats got soaked when they got caught in the storm.
• In the final competition, all the dancers’ routines were fantastic.

3. If the owner has an irregular plural that does not end in s the
apostrophe goes after the complete plural noun but before the s.
• The women’s cloakroom is down the corridor on the right.
• He really deserved to win the People’s Choice Award.

Rewrite each sentence using the correct punctuation.

Example: My daughters coat was ruined when she fell in a puddle.
                My daughter’s coat was ruined when she fell in a puddle.

1. The babys name was very unusual.
2. The childrens competition was won by a five year old boy from Oxford.
3. The babies cries could not be ignored.
4. The employees Christmas party was a great success.
5. Last months profits were disappointing.
6. Martins homework was excellent.
7. The books pages were dog-eared because she had read it six times.
8. Her sisters new car was very expensive.
9. The cashiers till would not open and she had to call a supervisor.
10. The postmens mailbags were extremely heavy just before Christmas.
11. Two weeks holiday was over in a flash.
12. The students attitude to their work was simply not good enough.
13. The womans son was ill so she could not go to college.
14. Do you know where Mikes car keys are?

 
 Use possessive apostrophes to shorten these sentences.
Example: The eyes of the tiger glowed in the dark.
                 The tiger’s eyes glowed in the dark.

1. The profits of last week were not too good.
2. The hat that belonged to my daughter was pink and fluffy.
3. The party for the salesmen was cancelled.
4. The bookshop for children closes at 5.00pm.
5. The biscuits for dogs were on special offer in the pet shop.
6. The special offer for this month is ‘three bottles of wine for the price of two’.
7. The rainfall for September was lower than expected.
8. Hats for women are in our other store across the road.
9. The two tractors, both belonging to the farmer, were destroyed in the fire.
10. The news on Tuesday was rather depressing.
11. The mothers of the babies were upset when the ‘Bonnie Baby’ competition
was cancelled.
12. The capital city of England is London.
13. The new car, belonging to Helen, had to go back to the factory.
14. The boat owned by the millionaire had gold plated tap