Name: _______________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________

APOSTROPHES
Apostrophes are used to show possession (in certain plural forms) and to indicate the omission of letters in contractions.
Review these eight rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Add (s) to form the singular possessive (even when the noun ends in s):
a. Mr. Summerss essay was convincing.
Add (s) to plural possessive not ending in s:
a. The childrens ability to learn is outstanding.
Add () to plural possessive ending in s:
a. The students grades improved.
Add (s) to indefinite pronouns that show ownership:
a. Everyones ability should be considered.
Never use apostrophes with possessive pronouns:
a. This experiment must be yours.
Add (s) to the last word of a compound noun, compound subject, or name of a business or institution:
a. The president-elects speech/ Gabe and Mikes wedding/ The National Science Associations meeting
Use (s) to form the plurals or letters, figures, and numbers, as well as expressions of time or money:
a. Mind your ps and qs. / The project was a result of a years worth of work.
Use apostrophes to show that letters or words are omitted in contractions:
a. She doesnt (does not) work today.

Select the correct option.

1.

(Lindas/Lindas) calendar was too small to show all her appointments.

2.

(Its/Its) a (days/days) drive to the beach.

3.

The (buss/buses) always parked in front of the school in the afternoon.

4.

Take off (your/youre) boots if their/theyre muddy.

5.

The lion bared (its/its) huge, sharp teeth.

6.

(Central High Schools/Central High Schools) schedule was full.

7.

(Carlos/Carloss) mother looked younger than her years.

8.

I was impressed by (John and Sarahs/ Johns and Sarahs) math grade.

9.

The (puppys/puppies) were so tiny they could all fit in a shoebox.

10. (Their/Theyre) studying hard for the exam tomorrow.

11. (Its/Its) a bright sunny day.
12. We only sell (apples/apples) in this shop.
13. The (weathers/weathers) nice today.
14. (Mr.McCarthys/Mr.McCarthy's) lessons are really good.
15. The bag is (hers/hers).
16. I cant believe (Amy and Joes/Amys and Joes) baby can walk at only twelve weeks old.
17. She was able to earn three (As/As) and a B.
18. The Modern period began during the early (1900s/1900s).
19. All of my (bosses/bosss/boss) have been really supportive.
20. All of my (bosses/bosss/boss) offices have been huge with wonderful views.

In each question, only one of the sentences has all the apostrophes correctly placed.
1.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Bristol's harbour is one of the countrys most beautiful.

Bristols harbour is one of the country's most beautiful.
Bristol's harbour is one of the country's most beautiful.
Bristols' harbour is one of the countrys' most beautiful.

2.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The two boy's bags were lying at the river's edge.

The two boys bag's were lying at the rivers' edge.
The two boys' bags were lying at the river's edge.
The two boys' bags' were lying at the rivers edge.

3.

a.
b.
c.
d.

My parent's flat is in one of the city's finest areas.

My parents' flat is in one of the citys finest areas'.
My parents' flat is in one of the citys' finest areas.
My parents' flat is in one of the city's finest areas.

4.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The world's experts were quick to praise the two girls' courage.
The world's experts were quick to praise the two girl's courage.
The worlds expert's were quick to praise the two girls' courage.
The worlds' experts were quick to praise the two girls' courage.

5.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Steve's mothers house is right next to his only sister's flat.

Steves mother's house is right next to his only sister's flat.
Steve's mothers' house is right next to his only sisters' flat.
Steve's mother's house is right next to his only sister's flat.

6.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The two buildings doors' and windows' were damaged in the blast.
The two buildings door's and window's were damaged in the blast.
The two buildings' doors and windows were damaged in the blast.
The two building's doors and windows were damaged in the blast.

7.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The cat's illness was making its paws sore.

The cat's illness was making it's paws sore.
The cats' illness was making its paws sore.
The cats' illness' was making its paws sore.

8.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The teams manager's attitude was affecting all the player's performance.
The team's manager's attitude was affecting all the players' performance.
The teams manager's attitude was affecting all the players' performance.
The team's manager's attitude was affecting all the player's performance.

9.

a.
b.
c.
d.

It's owners made Ted the cat's life very comfortable.

It's owners' made Ted the cats life very comfortable.
Its owners made Ted the cats' life very comfortable.
Its owners made Ted the cat's life very comfortable.

10. a.
b.
c.
d.

The Roman's bridges and roads were vital for moving the troops' supplies.
The Romans' bridges and roads were vital for moving the troops' supplies.
The Romans' bridges and roads were vital for moving the troop's supplies.
The Romans bridge's and road's were vital for moving the troops supplies.

In this exercise, you will be shown an incorrectly punctuated sentence. Select which of the options given is correct.
1. The two boy's rucksacks were found at the water's edge.
a. There are two boys, the sentence should read "boys' rucksacks".
b. The apostrophe in "water's edge" should not be there.
c. The rucksacks belong to the boys and need an apostrophe, "rucksack's".
d. The sentence is currently correct.
2. The building had lost all its window's and door's.
a. Its is a possessive form and needs an apostrophe.
b. The doors and windows are plural and need the apostrophe after the final 's'.
c. The doors and windows do not need an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
3. New York's skyline has lost two of it's most famous buildings.
a. New York is a proper noun and does not need an apostrophe.
b. 'It's' should not have an apostrophe as it's possessive.
c. The buildings belong to the skyline and need an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
4. Whos taken Paul's shoes?
a. There should be an apostrophe in who's as it is short for who has.
b. The shoes are plural and so Paul's should be Pauls'.
c. The shoes belong to Paul, so they should have an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
5. The three car's tires were found in the only suspect's flat.
a. The suspect does not need an apostrophe.
b. The apostrophe in car's is incorrecly placed.
c. The tires belong to the car and need an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
6. The childrens books and pencils were put in their bags.
a. Children is plural and so the apostrophe should come after the 's'.
b. The bags belong to the children, so they should have an apostrophe.
c. The books and pencils end in an 's', so they need an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
7. I would like to see all those actor's together on that theatres famous stage.
a. theatre should be theatres
b. actors should be actors
c. actors should be actors
d. The sentence is currently correct.
8. The singer's voice was considered one of the world's best; his' dancing was among the worst.
a. There is no need for an apostrophe in world's.
b. His is a possessive form; it needs no apostrophe.
c. There is no need for an apostrophe in singer's.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
9. All those peoples cars make the shop keepers lives much more difficult.
a. peoples should be peoples
b. keepers should be keepers
c. cars should be cars
d. The sentence is currently correct.
10. All the children's books and their parents coats were put in the school's lost property bags.
a. childrens should be childrens
b. parents should be parents
c. bags should be bags
d. The sentence is currently correct.

Punctuate the following sentences with apostrophes according to the rules for using the apostrophe.
1. Whos the partys candidate for vice president this year?
2. The fox had its right foreleg caught securely in the traps jaws.
3. Our neighbors car is an old Chrysler, and its just about to fall apart.
4. In three weeks time well have to begin school again.
5. Didnt you hear that theyre leaving tomorrow?
6. Whenever I think of the stories I read as a child, I remember Cinderellas glass slipper and Snow Whites wicked stepmother.
7. We claimed the picnic table was ours, but the Smiths children looked so disappointed that we found another spot.
8. Its important that the kitten learns to find its way home.
9. She did not hear her childrens cries.
10. My address has three 7s, and Tims phone number has four 2s.
11. Didnt he say when he would arrive at Arnies house?
12. Its such a beautiful day that Ive decided to take a sun bath.
13. She said the watch Jack found was hers, but she couldnt identify the manufacturers name on it.
14. Little girls clothing is on the first floor, and the mens department is on the second.
15. The dogs bark was far worse than its bite.
16. The moons rays shone feebly on the path, and I heard the insects chirpings and whistlings.
17. Theyre not afraid to go ahead with the plans, though the choice is not theirs.
18. The man whose face was tan said that he had spent his two weeks vacation in the mountains.
19. I found myself constantly putting two cs in the word process.
20. Johns 69 Ford is his proudest possession.

Name: _______________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________

APOSTROPHES (ANSWER KEY)

Apostrophes are used to show possession (in certain plural forms) and to indicate the omission of letters in contractions.
Review these eight rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Add (s) to form the singular possessive (even when the noun ends in s):
a. Mr. Summerss essay was convincing.
Add (s) to plural possessive not ending in s:
a. The childrens ability to learn is outstanding.
Add () to plural possessive ending in s:
a. The students grades improved.
Add (s) to indefinite pronouns that show ownership:
a. Everyones ability should be considered.
Never use apostrophes with possessive pronouns:
a. This experiment must be yours.
Add (s) to the last word of a compound noun, compound subject, or name of a business or institution:
a. The president-elects speech/ Gabe and Mikes wedding/ The National Science Associations meeting
Use (s) to form the plurals or letters, figures, and numbers, as well as expressions of time or money:
a. Mind your ps and qs. / The project was a result of a years worth of work.
Use apostrophes to show that letters or words are omitted in contractions:
a. She doesnt (does not) work today.

Select the correct option.

1.

(Lindas/Lindas) calendar was too small to show all her appointments.

2.

(Its/Its) a (days/days) drive to the beach.

3.

The (buss/buses) always parked in front of the school in the afternoon.

4.

Take off (your/youre) boots if their/theyre muddy.

5.

The lion bared (its/its) huge, sharp teeth.

6.

(Central High Schools/Central High Schools) schedule was full.

7.

(Carlos/Carloss) mother looked younger than her years.

8.

I was impressed by (John and Sarahs/ Johns and Sarahs) math grade.

9.

The (puppys/puppies) were so tiny they could all fit in a shoebox.

10. (Their/Theyre) studying hard for the exam tomorrow.

11. (Its/Its) a bright sunny day.
12. We only sell (apples/apples) in this shop.
13. The (weathers/weathers) nice today.
14. (Mr.McCarthys/Mr.McCarthy's) lessons are really good.
15. The bag is (hers/hers).
16. I cant believe (Amy and Joes/Amys and Joes) baby can walk at only twelve weeks old.
17. She was able to earn three (As/As) and a B.
18. The Modern period began during the early (1900s/1900s).
19. All of my (bosses/bosss/boss) have been really supportive.
20. All of my (bosses/bosss/boss) offices have been huge with wonderful views.

In each question, only one of the sentences has all the apostrophes correctly placed.
1.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Bristol's harbour is one of the countrys most beautiful.

Bristols harbour is one of the country's most beautiful.
Bristol's harbour is one of the country's most beautiful.
Bristols' harbour is one of the countrys' most beautiful.

2.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The two boy's bags were lying at the river's edge.

The two boys bag's were lying at the rivers' edge.
The two boys' bags were lying at the river's edge.
The two boys' bags' were lying at the rivers edge.

3.

a.
b.
c.
d.

My parent's flat is in one of the city's finest areas.

My parents' flat is in one of the citys finest areas'.
My parents' flat is in one of the citys' finest areas.
My parents' flat is in one of the city's finest areas.

4.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The world's experts were quick to praise the two girls' courage.
The world's experts were quick to praise the two girl's courage.
The worlds expert's were quick to praise the two girls' courage.
The worlds' experts were quick to praise the two girls' courage.

5.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Steve's mothers house is right next to his only sister's flat.

Steves mother's house is right next to his only sister's flat.
Steve's mothers' house is right next to his only sisters' flat.
Steve's mother's house is right next to his only sister's flat.

6.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The two buildings doors' and windows' were damaged in the blast.
The two buildings door's and window's were damaged in the blast.
The two buildings' doors and windows were damaged in the blast.
The two building's doors and windows were damaged in the blast.

7.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The cat's illness was making its paws sore.

The cat's illness was making it's paws sore.
The cats' illness was making its paws sore.
The cats' illness' was making its paws sore.

8.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The teams manager's attitude was affecting all the player's performance.
The team's manager's attitude was affecting all the players' performance.
The teams manager's attitude was affecting all the players' performance.
The team's manager's attitude was affecting all the player's performance.

9.

a.
b.
c.
d.

It's owners made Ted the cat's life very comfortable.

It's owners' made Ted the cats life very comfortable.
Its owners made Ted the cats' life very comfortable.
Its owners made Ted the cat's life very comfortable.

10. a.
b.
c.
d.

The Roman's bridges and roads were vital for moving the troops' supplies.
The Romans' bridges and roads were vital for moving the troops' supplies.
The Romans' bridges and roads were vital for moving the troop's supplies.
The Romans bridge's and road's were vital for moving the troops supplies.

In this exercise, you will be shown an incorrectly punctuated sentence. Select which of the options given is correct.
1. The two boy's rucksacks were found at the water's edge.
a. There are two boys, the sentence should read "boys' rucksacks".
b. The apostrophe in "water's edge" should not be there.
c. The rucksacks belong to the boys and need an apostrophe, "rucksack's".
d. The sentence is currently correct.
2. The building had lost all its window's and door's.
a. Its is a possessive form and needs an apostrophe.
b. The doors and windows are plural and need the apostrophe after the final 's'.
c. The doors and windows do not need an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
3. New York's skyline has lost two of it's most famous buildings.
a. New York is a proper noun and does not need an apostrophe.
b. 'It's' should not have an apostrophe as it's possessive.
c. The buildings belong to the skyline and need an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
4. Whos taken Paul's shoes?
a. There should be an apostrophe in who's as it is short for who has.
b. The shoes are plural and so Paul's should be Pauls'.
c. The shoes belong to Paul, so they should have an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
5. The three car's tires were found in the only suspect's flat.
a. The suspect does not need an apostrophe.
b. The apostrophe in car's is incorrecly placed.
c. The tires belong to the car and need an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
6. The childrens books and pencils were put in their bags.
a. Children is plural and so the apostrophe should come after the 's'.
b. The bags belong to the children, so they should have an apostrophe.
c. The books and pencils end in an 's', so they need an apostrophe.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
7. I would like to see all those actor's together on that theatres famous stage.
a. theatre should be theatres
b. actors should be actors
c. actors should be actors
d. The sentence is currently correct.
8. The singer's voice was considered one of the world's best; his' dancing was among the worst.
a. There is no need for an apostrophe in world's.
b. His is a possessive form; it needs no apostrophe.
c. There is no need for an apostrophe in singer's.
d. The sentence is currently correct.
9. All those peoples cars make the shop keepers lives much more difficult.
a. peoples should be peoples
b. keepers should be keepers
c. cars should be cars
d. The sentence is currently correct.
10. All the children's books and their parents coats were put in the school's lost property bags.
a. childrens should be childrens
b. parents should be parents
c. bags should be bags
d. The sentence is currently correct.

Punctuate the following sentences with apostrophes according to the rules for using the apostrophe.

1. Who's the party's candidate for vice president this year?

2. The fox had its right foreleg caught securely in the trap's jaws.
3. Our neighbor's car is an old Chrysler, and it's just about to fall apart.
4. In three weeks' time we'll have to begin school again.
5. Didn't you hear that they're leaving tomorrow?
6. Whenever I think of the stories I read as a child, I remember Cinderella's glass slipper and Snow White's wicked
stepmother.
7. We claimed the picnic table was ours, but the Smiths' children looked so disappointed that we found another spot.
8. It's important that the kitten learns to find its way home.
9. She did not hear her children's cries.
10. My address has three 7s, and Tim's phone number has four 2s.
11. Didn't he say when he would arrive at Arnie's house?
12. It's such a beautiful day that I've decided to take a sun bath.
13. She said the watch Jack found was hers, but she couldn't identify the manufacturer'sname on it.
14. Little girls' clothing is on the first floor, and the men's department is on the second.
15. The dog's bark was far worse than its bite.
16. The moon's rays shone feebly on the path, and I heard the insects' chirpings and whistlings.
17. They're not afraid to go ahead with the plans, though the choice is not theirs.
18. The man whose face was tan said that he had spent his two weeks' vacation in the mountains.
19. I found myself constantly putting two c's in the word process.
20. John's '69 Ford is his proudest possession.