Select The Phrase Or Sentence That Uses An Apostrophe Correctly

Select the Phrase or Sentence that Uses an Apostrophe Correctly: A Comprehensive Guide

Apostrophes are punctuation marks that often cause confusion, even for experienced writers. Mastering their correct usage is crucial for clear and effective communication, and significantly impacts your writing's credibility. This comprehensive guide will delve into the various applications of apostrophes, helping you confidently select the correctly punctuated phrase or sentence from a group. We'll explore common mistakes and offer practical examples to solidify your understanding.

Understanding the Role of the Apostrophe

The apostrophe's primary function is twofold: indicating possession (showing ownership) and marking contractions (shortening words by combining them). Let's examine each function in detail:

1. Showing Possession (Ownership)

The apostrophe indicates that something belongs to someone or something. The placement of the apostrophe depends on whether the possessor is singular or plural, and whether it ends in 's'.

• Singular Nouns: Add an apostrophe followed by an 's' ('s). For example:

  • The dog's bone: The bone belongs to the dog.
  • The cat's toy: The toy belongs to the cat.
  • James's book: The book belongs to James. (Note: While some style guides allow omitting the extra 's' after a name already ending in 's', using 'James's' remains the most widely accepted and clearer option.)

• Plural Nouns Ending in 's': Add only an apostrophe after the 's' ('s'). For example:

  • The dogs' bones: The bones belong to the dogs.
  • The cats' toys: The toys belong to the cats.
  • The students' papers: The papers belong to the students.

• Plural Nouns Not Ending in 's': Add an apostrophe followed by an 's' ('s'). For example:

  • The children's playground: The playground belongs to the children.
  • The men's restroom: The restroom belongs to the men.

2. Marking Contractions

Contractions combine two words into one, with the apostrophe replacing the missing letters. Common examples include:

• isn't: is not
• aren't: are not
• wasn't: was not
• weren't: were not
• can't: cannot
• couldn't: could not
• won't: will not
• wouldn't: would not
• shouldn't: should not
• it's: it is or it has (context is key here!)
• there's: there is or there has (context is key here!)
• they're: they are
• we're: we are
• you're: you are
• I'm: I am
• he's: he is or he has (context is key here!)
• she's: she is or she has (context is key here!)

Common Apostrophe Mistakes

Several common mistakes repeatedly plague writers. Understanding these pitfalls will significantly improve your apostrophe usage:

1. Its vs. It's

This is perhaps the most frequent error. Remember:

• It's is a contraction of "it is" or "it has." Example: It's a beautiful day.
• Its shows possession. Example: The dog wagged its tail.

2. Their, They're, There

These three words are often confused. Remember:

• Their shows possession. Example: That's their car.
• They're is a contraction of "they are." Example: They're going to the park.
• There indicates a place or position. Example: The book is over there.

3. Your vs. You're

Another common mistake involves these two words:

• Your shows possession. Example: Is that your phone?
• You're is a contraction of "you are." Example: You're doing a great job!

4. Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns (my, mine, your, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs) do not take apostrophes. They already show possession. Incorrect: "My's car" Correct: "My car".

5. Pluralization with Apostrophes

Apostrophes are not used to make nouns plural. Incorrect: "Apple's" Correct: "Apples".

Practice Exercises: Identifying Correct Apostrophe Usage

Let's test your understanding with some practice examples. Choose the sentence or phrase that uses apostrophes correctly:

Exercise 1:

A. The cat's toy is broken. B. The cats toy is broken. C. The cats's toy is broken.

Answer: A. The cat's toy is broken.

Exercise 2:

A. Its a beautiful day. B. It's a beautiful day. C. Its' a beautiful day.

Answer: B. It's a beautiful day.

Exercise 3:

A. They're going to the store. B. Their going to the store. C. There going to the store.

Answer: A. They're going to the store.

Exercise 4:

A. Your welcome. B. You're welcome. C. You're' welcome.

Answer: B. You're welcome.

Exercise 5:

A. The childrens' books are on the shelf. B. The childrens books are on the shelf. C. The children's books are on the shelf.

Answer: C. The children's books are on the shelf.

Exercise 6:

A. Whose going to the party? B. Who's going to the party? C. Whose' going to the party?

Answer: B. Who's going to the party.

Advanced Apostrophe Usage: More Complex Scenarios

Let's explore some more complex scenarios where apostrophe usage can be tricky:

1. Compound Nouns

With compound nouns showing possession, the apostrophe usually goes at the end:

• My brother-in-law's car: The car belongs to my brother-in-law.

2. Joint Possession vs. Individual Possession

• Joint Possession: If multiple possessors own something together, the apostrophe goes only on the last name: John and Mary's house.
• Individual Possession: If each possessor owns something separately, use an apostrophe for each name: John's and Mary's cars.

3. Letters, Numbers, and Symbols

Apostrophes can also be used to show possession of letters, numbers, or symbols:

• Mind your p's and q's.
• The 1920's were a time of great change.
• He used too many &'s in his writing.

Conclusion: Mastering Apostrophe Usage

Correct apostrophe usage is essential for clear and credible writing. While the rules might seem complex at first, consistent practice and a keen awareness of common errors will significantly improve your writing skills. By understanding the nuances of possession and contractions, you'll confidently navigate the complexities of apostrophes and craft polished, professional work. Remember to review these guidelines frequently and use the exercises to reinforce your understanding. Mastering apostrophes elevates your written communication, ensuring your message is accurately conveyed and your credibility remains intact. With dedicated effort, you will become proficient in selecting the phrase or sentence that uses an apostrophe correctly in any situation.