C7
Use
apostrophes when needed.
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Details
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Incorrect Examples
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Correct Examples
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a) Use an
apostrophe in a contraction.
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Its, ill, cant, were, or wont.
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it’s,
I’ll, can’t, we’re, or won’t.
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b) When a
noun is single, show possession by adding an apostrophe and S.
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A ducks bill
A dogs collar
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A duck’s bill
A dog’s collar
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c) When a
noun is plural, show possession by adding an apostrophe after the S
– but only if plural is made in the
usual way, by adding S.
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Two dogs collars
Two dog’s collars
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Two dogs’
collars
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d) If the
noun is plural but it is made in some unusual way, just add an apostrophe and
an S.
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Examples of nouns
made plural in an unusual way would include those made in the Latin way: octopi,
cacti, and data;
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Cactuses’
Cactis’
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cacti’s
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those made in
the German way: men, women, and children, oxen;
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mens
mens’
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men’s
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and those that just don’t change at all: sheep and deer.
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sheeps
sheeps’
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sheep’s
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