Jan 31, 2018 in this lesson we will focus on possession using s, including pronunciation, combinative power and manymany examples. We add s to the singular form, and we add an apostrophe after the plural s ending in the plural form. Apostrophes the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. Should apostrophes be used after numbers or single letters. For plural, proper nouns that are possessive, use an apostrophe after the s. Showing possession in english is a relatively easy matter believe it or not.
In a context in which the plural is clear, apostrophes after uppercase letters are not necessary. All of these phrases include nouns that express ownership. As you can see, the meaning will change depending on the pronoun you choose. Sometimes, its called the grocers apostrophe because of how frequently it is spotted in grocery store advertisements 3 oranges for a dollar. Apostrophes with words ending in s grammar and punctuation. Apostrophes and proper nouns grammar and punctuation.
By adding an apostrophe and an s we can manage to transform most singular nouns into their possessive form. Possessive nouns are used to show ownership or possession. I want to go over how to use apostrophes to show possession in your writing. The apostrophe after the plural form of a noun indicates that several participants own with another noun or pronoun. Apostrophes showing possession with apostrophes basic. But when you dont use the connecting verbs you must use the apostrophe. Jun 03, 2014 we appreciate the international information, but this website and the blue book of grammar and punctuation represent american english rules and guidelines. Lets close with a possessiveapostrophe principle that confuses a lot of people.
Our rule 1a of apostrophes says, use the apostrophe to show possession. Ownership is the act of owning or having something. Constitution but constitutional, the electoral college, department of agriculture. The article refers to the common noun drivers license as is listed in the merriamwebster dictionary, not the formal name for the document. In 2014 we issued the 11th edition of the blue book in which we expanded the discussion of the accepted methods for dealing with possession. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, eleventh edition. Apostrophes apostrophes show possession grammar lesson.
The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition. In this post, we are going to learn more about wh questions. Mar 16, 2008 wondering when a noun should use s, s, s, or es to show possession. An apostrophe plus s is never added to make a noun pluraleven a proper noun. Apostrophes showing possession an apostrophe is normally used with the letter s to show ownership or possession. We bought our childrens clothing from the childrens clothing department at tuscos. Coincidentally, there are three pattis performing in that band. Grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and. Rule 2 of apostrophes from the blue book of grammar and punctuation says. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. If two people own one thing, add the apostrophe and s to the second person only. With most singular nouns, simply add an apostrophe plus the letter s to do this.
It is not correct to create the plural of years or decades or abbreviations with an apostrophe. Its all about the grammar thats relevant to you as you write. Apostrophes quiz 2 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The plural of james is jameses and plural possession is denoted by s so it should be this is the jameses book. This handy workbook is ideal for teachers, students in middle school through college, esl students, homeschoolers, and professionals. Contractions punctuation basics the world of grammar is huge, but fiction writers dont need to know all the nuances to write well. Apostrophes punctuation rules blue book of grammar. Its just three letters with or without an apostrophe. Search for your punctuation question at grammar girl. L1l2 resource adapted from comma quizzes in the blue book of grammar. The blue book of grammar and punctuation flashcards quizlet. You can always identify possession without using an apostrophe. In fact, some of the rules you were taught in english class will actually hurt your fiction writing, not help it. The blue book of grammar and punctuation an easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples.
And there is a move towards dropping the apostrophe when there is an association rather than a true possession involved. Some writers and editors add only an apostrophe to all nouns ending in s. Start studying the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The es does create the plural, but writing it that way is for the sake of pronunciation. To indicate individual possession of a noun by more than one person or object, use an. In previous posts, i showed you some wh questions and how to use them.
Public and unpublished materials bluebook citation for legal materials. The comma is probably the most commonly used punctuation mark. Provides examples and, in table format, indicates when to use the apostrophe of possession with plural or. The apostrophe has a bizarre history, including being the name for something thats not really related to grammar at all. English possessive with s, possession in english, using. Like computers and shakespeares in the previous paragraph, beverly hills is a possessive noun. To indicate individual possession of a noun by more than one person or object, use an apostrophe with each individual. For example, the problems belong to the girls or the girls have problems. Many people write i had four as in my exam or mind your ps and qs. With very few exceptions, apostrophes do not make nouns plural. Mings and peters speeches were the best ones given at the ceremony. For each of the following, choose the correct sentence.
Using an unnecessary apostrophe to form the plural of a noun is a very common mistake. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. After i explain whose, i will also show you how to use s to indicate possession in english. A revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide the blue book of grammar and punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. Plurals, possessives, and apostrophes janes grammar nugget. Provides examples and, in table format, indicates when to use the apostrophe of possession with plural or singular nouns ending with or without an s. The two main functions of the apostrophe are to form the possessive case of nouns indicating. You usually need the s when you are going to answer questions with whose.
Its also one of the biggest grammar errors according to the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The rule 2 of apostrophes referenced in our response of december 18, 2012, to maddie was part of the 10th edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Possessive pronouns show ownership and never need apostrophes. It can also sometimes be used to pluralize irregular nouns, such as single letters, abbreviations, and singledigit numbers. Jun 25, 2008 rule 2 of apostrophes from the blue book of grammar and punctuation says. The apostrophe the apostrophe has two legitimate uses. With over 200,000 copies sold, this is one of the most highly trusted english language resources available. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition pages. This userfriendly resource includes simple explanations of grammar, punctuation, and usage. Nov 02, 2016 in february 2014, a new edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation will be issued. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in theabove example, it is known as the oxford comma.
What got lost is the element of possession, which is implied by the use of the apostrophe. A revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to real. History of the apostrophe about transcript the apostrophe has a bizarre history, including being the name for something thats not really related to grammar at all. Plurals, possessives, and apostrophes janes grammar. To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. The farlex grammar book english punctuation apostrophes apostrophes what is an apostrophe. Wondering when a noun should use s, s, s, or es to show possession. This 38slide powerpoint is a stepbystep presentation that teaches students when to use apostrophes. For plural nouns that do not end in s children, women, men etc the apostrophe goes between the noun and the s indicating possession. All it takes is the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Apostrophes quiz 1 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. To show possession with a singular noun, add an apostrophe plus the letter s. Many common nouns end in the letter s lens, cactus, bus, etc.
Most newspapers and magazines drop theoxford comma in a simple. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession. Possession johns car, a friend of mine english grammar. For the plurals of familiar compound nouns like drivers license and masters degree, the apostrophe stays the same. Frequently asked questions apostrophe protection society. For guidance in proper citation format, you should consult the bluebook, our bluebook.
This book wont teach you things you dont need to know. In these examples, you notice that the apostrophe is used to show that a singular noun owns something aunts, pen. An apostrophe is a punctuation mark that primarily serves to indicate either grammatical possession or the contraction of two words. Has its and its and omissive and possessive apostrophes.
Because its two usescontraction and possessionhave people so thoroughly confused that they are always putting in apostrophes where they dont belong, in simple plurals cucumbers for sale and family names when they are referred to collectively the smiths. L1l2 resource adapted from comma quizzes in the blue book of grammar and punctuation by. Most newspapers and magazines drop theoxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling its unnecessary. Apostrophes quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. It doesnt take a lifetime to master english grammar and punctuation. Feb 10, 2014 a revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide. Apostrophes and false possessives the blue book of. The rules for pluralization, singular possession, and plural possession are the same as the rules for names ending in y.
Think of the apostrophe as a little hand, holding on to an s to indicate ownership or possession. Must we use apostrophe s just for humans or maybe animals. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif. No one writing handbook or grammar guide should suffice for careful writers, and though jane strauss the blue book of grammar and punctuation is less comprehensive than some other resources, its largeformat workbook approach provides a readerfriendly introduction to the intricacies of proper prose. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to reallife, entertaining examples. A third use, the pluralisation of words and letters in such expressions as mind your ps and qs, is controversial. We appreciate the international information, but this website and the blue book of grammar and punctuation represent american english rules and guidelines. Why cant we all agree to do away with the wretched apostrophe.
One of shakespeares plays is a shakespeare play consider the sentence beverly hills weather is mild. We would say that the apostrophe is meaningless in these cases. Most genitives are formed with s the term genitive includes a larger range of relationships than possessiveownership my dog, temporary possession his cookie, a natural trait his tail, a family relationship his mom, origin his city, performer of an action his arrival, and more. Possession singular possession plural possession with names ending in s with compound nouns such as motherinlaw. Jane straus, late author of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes at. When using an apostrophe to show possession, the very. For a plural noun, the apostrophe follows the s ending the plural noun. A resource with a printable placemat display poster that summarises the grammatical rules for when and how to use the apostrophe of possession. As for possession with the preposition of it is another story, deserving.
Plural and possessive forms with names ending in y or i. In february 2014, a new edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation will be issued. Want to know when to use the apostrophe and when to skip it. Oct 01, 2014 i want to go over how to use apostrophes to show possession in your writing. Do things use apostrophe for indicating possessive. In this lesson we will focus on possession using s, including pronunciation, combinative power and manymany examples. Apostrophes should be used in words showing possession. Use an apostrophe for its when it represents the conjunction it is and not for possession. An apostrophe and the letter s are often used to show possession. Apostrophe english grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary. A portion of rule 1, apostrophes, will state, there are conflicting policies and theories about how to show possession when writing such nouns. I teach my students in india the use of the apostrophe for possession by telling them to write down the name of the possessor, whether singular or plural, then add the apostrophe, and finally add an s if the sound requires it. Apostrophe english grammar today cambridge dictionary.
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