Apostrophe Rules
Whose is this?
Choose Wisely
Dashes (and Things Zia Knows)
Quick Fix
100
To show possession for a singular noun (like "cat"), you add an apostrophe followed by this letter.
S
100
The skateboard belonging to Ehud
Ehud's skateboard
100
(It’s / Its) a very sunny day in the valley.
It's
100
Who are these beloved literary characters?
Frog and Toad
100
The three singers microphones were all turned off.
singers'
200
If a plural word already ends in "s" (like "drivers"), you place the apostrophe in this location.
After the s
200
The office shared by Judi and Maria
Judi and Maria's office
200
The dog wagged (it’s / its) tail happily.
its
200
A writer might use a dash instead of this punctuation mark if they want to indicate a "stronger" or more dramatic break.
Comma
200
I went to my doctors office for a checkup.
doctor's
300
These shortened words, such as "don’t" or "shouldn’t," always require an apostrophe to represent missing letters.
Contractions
300
The separate, individual lockers of Roland and Isabel
Roland's and Isabel's lockers
300
I borrowed (Mark / Mark's) and Remi's shared textbook.
Mark
300
When a dash follows a list prior to a summary or explanation, it acts like this other punctuation mark in reverse.
Colon
300
Most of the students' preferred to study in the library.
students
400
True or False: Possessive pronouns like hers, ours, and yours require an apostrophe.
False
400
The meeting of the supervisors
The supervisors' meeting
400
Both (players’ / player’s) jerseys were covered in mud after the game.
players'
400
Who is this?
Captain Barnacles
400
We are celebrating Mothers Day at a fancy restaurant.
Mother's Day
500
When two people share ownership of one single item, the apostrophe goes on which person’s name?
The last owner mentioned
500
The toys belonging to the children
The children's toys
500
I think (your / you're) going to love the surprise!
you're
500
What is the name of this moon?
Io
500
That backpack is their's, not mine.
theirs