Apostrophes - Learning English

Apostrophes - Learning English
 
Apostrophes are used for two main purposes:

• Contractions
  
• Possession
  

CONTRACTIONS 

The apostrophe is used to join two words together to make one word.  
Here are some common examples:

• do not = don't
  
• I am = I'm
  
• has not = hasn't
  

The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter. 
For example, in "don't", the apostrophe takes the place of the "o" that is gone from "not".

Here are some more examples of contractions:

• have not = haven't
  
• is not = isn't
  
• she is = she's
  

Contractions are very common in spoken English.  
They are used in writing to be shorter. 

POSSESSION 

Apostrophes are used with nouns to show possession.  
Here are the rules:

 Single Nouns

Add apostrophe and "s".

• The dog's bowl
  
• The boy's hat
  

Plural Nouns 

Add an apostrophe.

• The girls' toys
  
• The computers' screens
  

Irregular Plural Nouns 

Add an apostrophe and "s".

• The children's toys
  
• The women's hats
  

Nouns that end in "S" Singular
Add an apostrophe and "s".

• Charles Dickens's novel
  

Or, add only an apostrophe.

• Charles Dickens' novel
  

Plural
Add an apostrophe

• The Davis' home
  

     (Tom and Mary Davis, 2 people)

 More than 1 Noun

The apostrophe goes on the last name in a group that shares possession.

• Jon and Bob’s house
  

     (They both possess the house)