When to use a apostrophe (').

1.An apostrophe is often used to show that something belongs to someone.

Example:
1. This is Jane's book.
2. The dog's supper is ready.

2.If the word ends with 's' (for example with a plural) the apostrophe comes after the 's'.

Example:
1. The dogs' suppers are ready.
2. The Browns' wedding anniversary is this weekend

3. An apostrophe is not used with 'ours' or 'yours'. Like 'his' and 'hers' these are already possessives.

Example:
1. These books are ours.
2. I think this box is yours.

4. An apostrophe is used to show possession with: someone, somebody, everyone, everybody.

Example:
1. There is somebody's camera over there
2. Is that anyone's?

5. An apostrophe is used to replace missing letters. For example: don't (do not), I'm (I am), He's (He is), We'll (We will). 'It's' has an apostrophe when it is replacing 'It is' but not when it is a possessive.

Example:
1. I'm going to the cinema this evening.
2. He's late.

Look at the sentences below and decide if each is correct. Click 'Yes' or 'No'.

1. Tom's cat is two years old.

Yes     No

  The sentence is correct.

2. This is Sara's cake. Your's is over there.

Yes     No

  The sentence is wrong. The apostrophe in "Your's" is incorrect. It should be "Yours"

3. My friend's house is much larger than ours is.

Yes     No

  The sentence is correct.

4. Please come to the table. Everyone's dinner is ready.

Yes     No

  The sentence is correct.

5. The childrens toys are everywhere.

Yes     No

  The sentence is wrong. It should be: "The children's toys are everywhere." Although 'children' is a plural, it does not end with 's'.

6. Give Jane her CD's.

Yes     No

  The sentence is wrong. It should be: "Give Jane her CDs."

7. These books are yours.

Yes     No

  The sentence is correct.

8. (When asking for the toilet) Excuse me, where is the mens room?

Yes     No

  The sentence is wrong. It should be: "Excuse me, where is the men's room?"

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