Definitions
Apostrophes
Apostrophes are used in writing to show possession, indicate contractions, and signify omitted letters!
Write this sentence with contractions:
I am a student and she is a teacher.
I'm a student and she's a teacher.
She is a well known author in the literary community.
She is a well-known author in the literary community.
Joe asked well more of demanded to have his position back.
Joe asked–well more demanded–to have his position back.
The dog chased __ (its/it's) tail.
The dog chased its tail.
Hyphens
Hyphens are punctuation marks used especially to divide or to compound words, word elements, or numbers.
Write this sentence with contractions:
My family is coming but they are running late.
My family's coming but they're running late.
The company charges itself on producing high quality products.
The company charges itself on producing high-quality products.
The park the one with the orange slide is closed
The park–the one with the orange slide–is closed
I can see that ___ (your/you're) tired.
I can see that you're tired.
Dashes
Dashes indicate an abrupt shift or break in the thought of a sentence OR emphasizes what follows.
Rewrite with the correct possessive form:
The babies cries were very loud.
The babies' cries were very loud.
The event will take place on the twenty first of May.
The event will take place on the twenty-first of May.
Huge line-ups, traffic-jams, parking tickets all make for a horrible day.
Huge line-ups, traffic-jams, parking tickets–all make for a horrible day.
There are so many ___ (books/book's) in the library.
There are so many books in the library.
What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?
Hyphens are shorter than dashes
Hyphens combine words/dashes separate words
Rewrite with the correct possessive form:
Your uncles daughters nephews are great people.
Your uncle's daughter's nephews are great people.
or
Your uncles' daughters' nephews are great people. (if talking about multiple uncles)
An individual's self esteem is crucial for mental well being.
An individual's self-esteem is crucial for mental well-being.
He wanted a lizard, wait he wanted a porsche!
He wanted a lizard–wait he wanted a porsche!
Jane brought twenty two balloons to the party.
Jane brought twenty-two balloons to the party.
What do you use for plural nouns ending in s?
Add an apostrophe.
Example: My three cats’ toys are everywhere.
Rewrite with the correct possessive form:
Everyone thinks the Black Key's are the best band, but I prefer The Door's.
Everyone thinks the Black Keys are the best band, but I prefer The Doors.
The Great Wall of China looks so beautiful in person.
The Great Wall of China looks so beautiful in person.
Jonah just ate a million donuts literally!
Jonah just ate a million donuts–literally!
I need to buy apples–bananas, and oranges.
I need to buy apples, bananas, and oranges.