Oh boy. This is a difficult one because the rules are actually changing, so different people advocate slightly different rules. Let's go over the simple part. If a word owns something, use an apostrophe to show ownership by using these two rules.
1. If the original word ends in "s," add apostrophe (') on the end.
2. If it doesn't, add apostrophe-s ('s)
Sample Time!
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The two cars fenders smashed into each other. First, what owns what? The fenders belong to the cars, so the cars are doing the owning. Second, what noun are we starting with? A car or cars? Obviously, we have two cars. Third, which rule applies? Since the word ends in 's,' we use rule number 1. The two cars' fenders smashed into each other. |
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The cars fender smashed the young tree. First, what owns what? The fender belong to the car, so the car is doing the owning. Second, what noun are we starting with? A car or cars? Obviously, we have one car hitting that tree. Third, which rule applies? Since the word doesn't end in 's,' we use rule number 2. We take "car" and add apostrophe-s to get car's. The car's fender smashed the young tree. |
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The three hungry hippopotamis teeth grazed on the underwater plants. First, what owns what? The teeth belong to the hippopotami (yes, that is how you spell it). Second, what noun are we starting with? One hippopotamus or many hippopotami? Obviously, we have three hippopotami. Third, which rule applies? Since the word doesn't end in 's,' we use rule number 2. We take "hippopotami" and add apostrophe-s to get hippopotami's. The three hungry hippopotami's teeth grazed on the underwater plants. |
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_______________ horse has won several awards. (The girl is Jess) First, what owns what? Second, what noun are we starting with? Third, which rule applies? _______________ horse has won several awards. |
In case you haven't noticed, plural and singular has nothing to do with anything. Just figure out what the original noun is and then follow the rule. These two rules work for EVERYTHING.
Where the confusion comes in... It used to matter whether something was singular or plural. Here's how the old rule goes. If the object is singular (like Jess above), then you have to add an 's (Jess's horse) UNLESS
If the object is plural, then you use the two rules used above.
Meredith college and most publishers are using the new rules. The Blue Book on grammar uses the old rules
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Correct the following sentences.
If the sentence is correct, put a smiley face next to it.
In picture number one, the apples' peel is green.
In picture number two, the stems of the apples are brown.
In picture number three,the monkeys are really cute. The monkey's perch looks small, though.
The girls backpack was left sitting next to the door.
The boys in Mrs. Smiths class played tag at lunch.
The schools gymnasium was broken into over the weekend.
Bellevue Community College Handout
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Last Updated on 7-10-2007 |