Weekly Grammar Worksheet Apostrophes Answer Key

Weekly Grammar Worksheet: Apostrophes - Answer Key & Comprehensive Guide

This comprehensive guide provides answers to a sample weekly grammar worksheet focusing on apostrophes, along with detailed explanations to solidify your understanding. Mastering apostrophes is crucial for clear and correct writing, impacting everything from emails to academic papers. This worksheet and guide will help you confidently navigate the nuances of apostrophe usage.

Section 1: The Basics of Apostrophes

Apostrophes (') are punctuation marks with two main functions:

1. Indicating Possession: Apostrophes show ownership or possession. The placement depends on whether the possessor is singular, plural, or irregular.

• Singular nouns: Add an apostrophe and an 's' ('s). Example: the dog's bone (one dog owns the bone).
• Plural nouns ending in 's': Add only an apostrophe after the 's' (s'). Example: the dogs' bones (multiple dogs own the bones).
• Plural nouns not ending in 's': Add an apostrophe and an 's' ('s). Example: the children's toys (multiple children own the toys).
• Proper nouns ending in 's': Generally, add only an apostrophe. Example: Charles's book or Charles' book (both are acceptable).

2. Indicating Contractions: Apostrophes represent omitted letters in contractions. Contractions combine two words into one.

• Examples: can't (cannot), won't (will not), it's (it is), they're (they are), there's (there is), she's (she is), he's (he is), I'm (I am), you're (you are), we're (we are), let's (let us). Note the crucial distinction between it's (it is) and its (possessive pronoun).

Section 2: Sample Weekly Grammar Worksheet: Apostrophes

This section presents a sample worksheet with answers provided below. Try completing the worksheet before checking the answers to test your understanding.

Instructions: Insert apostrophes where necessary in the following sentences.

1. The cats toy is missing.
2. Its a beautiful day.
3. The womens club meets weekly.
4. Theres a problem with the computers.
5. The childrens laughter filled the air.
6. The birds nests were high in the trees.
7. Hes going to the store.
8. Shes a talented artist.
9. Whos going to the party?
10. Youre invited to the picnic.
11. Its time to go home. (This one has two possibilities)
12. The boss's decision was unexpected.
13. Both cars' tires were flat.
14. My brothers' car is newer than mine.
15. The Jones' house is on the corner.

Section 3: Answer Key & Explanations

Here are the answers to the worksheet, along with detailed explanations to clarify any confusion:

1. The cat's toy is missing. (Singular possessive)
2. It's a beautiful day. (Contraction of "it is")
3. The women's club meets weekly. (Plural possessive – 'women' doesn't end in 's')
4. There's a problem with the computers. (Contraction of "there is")
5. The children's laughter filled the air. (Plural possessive)
6. The birds' nests were high in the trees. (Plural possessive – 'birds' ends in 's')
7. He's going to the store. (Contraction of "he is")
8. She's a talented artist. (Contraction of "she is")
9. Who's going to the party? (Contraction of "who is")
10. You're invited to the picnic. (Contraction of "you are")
11. It's time to go home. (Contraction of "it is") Its (without an apostrophe) is also correct if referring to a possessive pronoun. This highlights the vital distinction between possessive and contraction usage.
12. The boss's decision was unexpected. (Singular possessive - Acceptable to use just an apostrophe for names ending in 's')
13. Both cars' tires were flat. (Plural possessive)
14. My brothers' car is newer than mine. (Plural possessive)
15. The Joneses' house is on the corner. (While you may see The Jones' house, using the plural possessive is grammatically more accurate.)

Section 4: Common Apostrophe Errors and How to Avoid Them

Many common errors arise from confusing possessive and plural forms, or from misusing contractions. Let's address some frequent mistakes:

1. Its vs. It's: This is the most common apostrophe error. "Its" is the possessive pronoun (belonging to it). "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has".

2. Their, There, and They're: These three words are often confused. "Their" shows possession. "There" indicates a place or position. "They're" is a contraction of "they are."

3. Your vs. You're: "Your" shows possession. "You're" is a contraction of "you are."

4. Possessive Pronouns: Possessive pronouns (my, mine, your, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs) never take apostrophes.

5. Overuse of Apostrophes: Avoid adding apostrophes to plural nouns that don't show possession. For example, "apples" is correct, not "apples'".

6. Incorrect Placement of Apostrophes: Ensure that the apostrophe is placed correctly – before the 's' in singular possessives and after the 's' in plural possessives ending in 's'.

Section 5: Advanced Apostrophe Usage

While the basics are crucial, some situations require more nuanced understanding:

1. Compound Nouns: For compound nouns, place the apostrophe after the last word: my mother-in-law's house.

2. Joint Possession vs. Individual Possession: If multiple people possess something jointly, use the apostrophe after the last name: John and Mary's car. If they possess items individually, use an apostrophe after each name: John's and Mary's cars.

3. Nouns Ending in -ce, -ge, -se, and -ze: Some style guides recommend adding only an apostrophe after these nouns: for conscience' sake, however, the use of 's is generally accepted.

4. Inanimate Objects: While grammatically correct to use possessive forms with inanimate objects (e.g., the tree's branches), consider rewriting the sentence to make it clearer. Consider the flow and clarity: "The branches of the tree".

Section 6: Practice Exercises for Mastery

To further solidify your understanding of apostrophes, try these additional exercises:

Exercise 1: Correct the apostrophe errors in the following sentences:

1. Its raining cats and dogs.
2. The dog's bone's are all over the yard.
3. Whose going to the movies with us?
4. Your going to love this new recipe.
5. The childrens toys were scattered across the floor.

Exercise 2: Write sentences using the following words correctly:

1. its/it's
2. your/you're
3. their/there/they're
4. who's/whose

Exercise 3: Create five sentences demonstrating different uses of apostrophes for possession.

Section 7: Beyond the Worksheet: Resources for Continued Learning

While this worksheet and guide provide a solid foundation, continued practice is key. Explore various grammar websites and textbooks to expand your knowledge and refine your skills. Read widely – paying attention to how authors use apostrophes in their writing – to gain a better understanding of proper usage. Engaging in active learning and consistent practice will help you master this essential aspect of English grammar.

This thorough guide, complete with a sample worksheet and answer key, provides a comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering apostrophe usage. By understanding the basics, common errors, and advanced applications, you can confidently and correctly use apostrophes in your writing, enhancing clarity and professionalism in all your written communication. Remember, consistent practice is the key to perfecting your grammar skills.