Lesson 401

Mechanics - Punctuation - Apostrophes

Use an apostrophe to indicate possession with nounsA noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Examples: man, city, book, and courage.  Source: Lesson 16.  A singular noun forms the possessivePossessives show whose something is. by adding 's.  Write the noun; change no letters; drop no letters; and then simply add 's.  This rule is always the same for each singular noun.

Examples:
baby - baby's
cow - cow's
Mr. Bass - Mr. Bass's

Some authorities feel that only an apostrophe is needed when the noun ends in "s."  That works okay for written material, but if you say it, you must say the extra "s"; therefore, I feel that the "s" is necessary in written material also.

 
 
 

Instructions: Supply the apostrophes and "s" ('s) to make the possessives in the following sentences.

1. The boy bike is in the back yard.

2. James car was in the accident yesterday.

3. Mr. Jones talk was the best yet.

4. What happened to that horse leg?

5. That woman umbrella is blowing away in the wind.