📚 What is an Apostrophe?
An apostrophe (') is a punctuation mark used for two main purposes: to show possession (ownership) and to form contractions (combining words).
👑 Apostrophes for Possession
Use an apostrophe to show that something belongs to someone or something.
Singular Nouns (one person/thing)
Add 's to show possession
the dog's collar (the collar belongs to the dog)
Sarah's book (the book belongs to Sarah)
my teacher's desk (the desk belongs to my teacher)
the cat's tail (the tail belongs to the cat)
Plural Nouns Ending in -s
Add only an apostrophe ' after the s
the dogs' collars (collars belonging to multiple dogs)
the teachers' lounge (lounge for all the teachers)
my parents' car (car belonging to both parents)
the students' projects (projects of all the students)
Plural Nouns NOT Ending in -s
Add 's
children's toys
men's clothing
women's shoes
people's opinions
Singular Nouns Ending in -s
Usually add 's (though some style guides allow just ')
James's backpack (or James' backpack)
the class's schedule
the bus's wheels
🔗 Apostrophes for Contractions
Use an apostrophe to show where letters have been removed when combining two words.
Common Contractions
With "not":
do not → don't
cannot → can't
will not → won't
should not → shouldn't
would not → wouldn't
did not → didn't
is not → isn't
are not → aren't
With "is/has":
she is → she's
he is → he's
it is → it's
that is → that's
who is → who's
she has → she's
With "will/would":
I will → I'll
you will → you'll
she will → she'll
I would → I'd
you would → you'd
With "have":
I have → I've
you have → you've
they have → they've
could have → could've
With "am/are":
I am → I'm
you are → you're
we are → we're
they are → they're
⚠️ Common Confusions
It's vs. Its
It's = It is or It has (contraction)
Its = belonging to it (possessive)
✓ It's a beautiful day. (It is)
✓ The dog wagged its tail. (belonging to the dog)
You're vs. Your
You're = You are (contraction)
Your = belonging to you (possessive)
✓ You're my best friend. (You are)
✓ Is this your book? (belonging to you)
They're vs. Their vs. There
They're = They are (contraction)
Their = belonging to them (possessive)
There = a place or to introduce something
✓ They're going to the park. (They are)
✓ Their house is beautiful. (belonging to them)
✓ Put it over there. (place)
Who's vs. Whose
Who's = Who is or Who has (contraction)
Whose = belonging to whom (possessive)
✓ Who's coming to the party? (Who is)
✓ Whose backpack is this? (belonging to whom)
🚫 When NOT to Use Apostrophes
❌ Plural Nouns (Just Adding -s)
The dog's are playing. ❌
✓ The dogs are playing.
No apostrophe for simple plurals!
❌ Possessive Pronouns
These already show ownership - no apostrophe needed:
his, hers, its, ours, yours, theirs, whose
The book is her's. ❌
✓ The book is hers.
❌ Verbs
She walk's to school. ❌
✓ She walks to school.
✏️ Practice Exercise
Choose the correct word. Click to reveal!
1. (Its / It's) raining outside.
It's raining outside. (It is)
2. The cat chased (its / it's) tail.
The cat chased its tail. (possessive)
3. This is (Sarahs / Sarah's) backpack.
This is Sarah's backpack. (possessive)
4. (Your / You're) invited to my party.
You're invited to my party. (You are)
5. The (teachers / teacher's / teachers') lounge is on the second floor.
The teachers' lounge is on the second floor. (belongs to multiple teachers)
6. (They're / Their / There) going to the beach tomorrow.
They're going to the beach tomorrow. (They are)
🎯 Key Takeaways
- Use apostrophes for possession and contractions
- Singular possession: add 's (Sarah's book)
- Plural possession (ending in s): add only ' (teachers' lounge)
- Plural possession (not ending in s): add 's (children's toys)
- Contractions replace missing letters with an apostrophe (can't, it's, you're)
- Its vs. it's: Its = possessive, It's = it is
- NO apostrophes for simple plurals or possessive pronouns