Possession

Use an apostrophe before the s where there is only one “owner”, as in:

• My friend’s drink
• Mark’s lunch
• The pub’s menu

Use an apostrophe after the s where there is more than one “owner”, as in:

• The two students’ work
• The three girls’ lunches
• The birds’ food supply

Use an apostrophe after the s if the word already ends in an s, as in:

• James’ lunch

Use an apostrophe before the s where the “owner” word is already plural, as in:

• The children’s lunches
• The mice’s cheese

The exception to these rules is the word “its” where the word indicates something belonging to an object. There is no apostrophe in this case.

• The door’s hinges were rusty.
• Its hinges were rusty.

Shortened Form

Apostrophes are used in shortened forms, i.e., where two words are condensed into one:

It is raining / It’s raining.

I could not see / I couldn’t see.

I should not be here / I shouldn’t be here.

and the odd one:

I will not go / I won’t go.

In all of these examples the apostrophe represents the missing letter(s).

 

Now put apostrophes in the right places in the following sentences. Note: not all of the sentences need apostrophes.

The boys hair was wet (1 boy).

The boys party was ruined (more than 1 boy)

The girls werre good friends to each other.

The Womens Movement had brought about many changes.

I wasnt going to stand for that.

Its going to be hard work.

The cars engine wouldnt start: its battery was flat.

The charities work was productive.

The childs pocket money was stopped.

The childrens charity raised £1000.

We wont be going there again.