{"id":38,"date":"2014-07-18T19:26:33","date_gmt":"2014-07-18T19:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/successfulwriting\/?post_type=chapter&p=38"},"modified":"2014-07-19T04:43:13","modified_gmt":"2014-07-19T04:43:13","slug":"3-5-apostrophes","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-fmcc-writingforsuccess-2\/chapter\/3-5-apostrophes\/","title":{"raw":"3.5 Apostrophes","rendered":"3.5 Apostrophes"},"content":{"raw":" \r\n
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3.5<\/span> Apostrophes<\/h2>\r\n
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
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  1. Identify the uses of apostrophes.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Correctly use apostrophes in sentences.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nAn apostrophe (\u2019)<\/span><\/span> is a punctuation mark that is used with a noun to show possession or to indicate where a letter has been left out to form a contraction.\r\n
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    Possession<\/h2>\r\nAn apostrophe and the letter s<\/em> indicate who or what owns something. To show possession with a singular noun, add \u2019s<\/em>.\r\n
    \r\n\r\nJen\u2019s<\/strong> dance routine mesmerized everyone in the room.\r\n\r\nThe dog\u2019s<\/strong> leash is hanging on the hook beside the door.\r\n\r\nJess\u2019s<\/strong> sister is also coming to the party.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nNotice that singular nouns that end in s<\/em> still take the apostrophe s<\/em> (\u2019s<\/em>) ending to show possession.\r\n\r\nTo show possession with a plural noun that ends in s<\/em>, just add an apostrophe (\u2019). If the plural noun does not end in s<\/em>, add an apostrophe and an s<\/em> (\u2019s<\/em>).\r\n
    \r\n\r\nPlural noun that ends in<\/strong> s<\/em>:<\/strong> The drummers\u2019<\/strong> sticks all moved in the same rhythm, like a machine.\r\n\r\nPlural noun that does not end in<\/strong> s<\/em>:<\/strong> The people\u2019s<\/strong> votes clearly showed that no one supported the management decision.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Contractions<\/h2>\r\nA contraction<\/span><\/span> is a word that is formed by combining two words. In a contraction, an apostrophe shows where one or more letters have been left out. Contractions are commonly used in informal writing but not in formal writing.\r\n
    \r\n\r\nI do not like ice cream.\r\n\r\nI don\u2019t<\/strong> like ice cream.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nNotice how the words do<\/em> and not<\/em> have been combined to form the contraction don\u2019t<\/em>. The apostrophe shows where the o<\/em> in not<\/em> has been left out.\r\n
    \r\n\r\nWe will see you later.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ll<\/strong> see you later.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nLook at the chart for some examples of commonly used contractions.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    aren\u2019t<\/td>\r\nare not<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    can\u2019t<\/td>\r\ncannot<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    doesn\u2019t<\/td>\r\ndoes not<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    don\u2019t<\/td>\r\ndo not<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    isn\u2019t<\/td>\r\nis not<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    he\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nhe will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nI will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    she\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nshe will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    they\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nthey will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    you\u2019ll<\/td>\r\nyou will<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    it\u2019s<\/td>\r\nit is, it has<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    let\u2019s<\/td>\r\nlet us<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    she\u2019s<\/td>\r\nshe is, she has<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    there\u2019s<\/td>\r\nthere is, there has<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    who\u2019s<\/td>\r\nwho is, who has<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Tip<\/h3>\r\nBe careful not to confuse it\u2019s<\/em> with its<\/em>. It\u2019s<\/em> is a contraction of the words it<\/em> and is<\/em>. Its<\/em> is a possessive pronoun.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s cold and rainy outside. (It is cold and rainy outside.)\r\n\r\nThe cat was chasing its tail. (Shows that the tail belongs to the cat.)\r\n\r\nWhen in doubt, substitute the words it is<\/em> in a sentence. If sentence still makes sense, use the contraction it\u2019s<\/em>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Exercise 1<\/h3>\r\nOn your own sheet of paper, correct the following sentences by adding apostrophes. If the sentence is correct as it is, write OK<\/em>.\r\n
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    1. \u201cWhat a beautiful child! She has her mothers eyes.\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t
    2. My brothers wife is one of my best friends.<\/li>\r\n\t
    3. I couldnt believe it when I found out that I got the job!<\/li>\r\n\t
    4. My supervisors informed me that I wouldnt be able to take the days off.<\/li>\r\n\t
    5. Each of the students responses were unique.<\/li>\r\n\t
    6. Wont you please join me for dinner tonight?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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      Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n