In English, small punctuation called apsotrphe is used to show possession or ownership of something. learning the correct use of apostrophes is important because it makes out sentences clear and removes any ambiguity int he sentence.
In this article, you will learn what apostrophe is, why do we use this punctuation mark in our writing, and how to properly use it to make our writing better and clear of any ambiguity.
In English, possessive apostrophe is a punctuation mark that is used to show ownership or possession of something. In simple words, this punctuation mark is used to show that something is oblong to someone. it is different than possessive pronouns because possessive pronouns we don’t use apostrphe with possessive pronouns.
Examples:
- This is Sarah’s book.
Rules for Using a Possessive Apostrophe
Possessive apostrophes are used with nouns to show their possession or ownership in the sentence. the main purpose is to make our sentences clear so that readers can understand the true meaning of the sentence.
We use apostrophes with nouns (singular, plural, and irregular plural nouns) to show possession or ownership. However, there is a slight difference in the use of apostrophes with each type of noun which we will discuss below with practical examples.
1. Singular Nouns
To use an apostrophe with singular nouns, we simply add s after the apostrophe mark.
For example:
- The dong’s bone.
- Maria’s hat.
2. Plural Nouns
With plural nouns, we only use an apostrophe mark without adding s.
For example:
- The students’ classroom.
- The boys’ toys.
3. Irregular Plural Nouns
With irregular plural nouns, use the apostrophe mark followed by s.
For example:
- The children’s playground.
- The men’s shoes.
Here, children and men are irregular plural nouns; therefore, we added an apostrophe followed by s.
Conclusion
Apostrophe is a puctuation mark used to show possession or ownership of something in the sentence. Usually, apostrophe is used with nouns because it add more clarity in the sentence. However, using apostrophe is not the same as possessive pronouns because possessive pronouns do not require apostrophe to show possession or ownership.
FAQs about Possessive Apostrophe
When should I use the possessive apostrophe?
The apostrophe is used to show possession or ownership because this punctuation mark tells the reader that something belongs to someone.
Do I always add an apostrophe for plurals?
No. The apostrophe is only used to show possession or ownership and it is not used to make plurals.
What about possessive pronouns like his or hers?
Possessive pronouns such as his, hers, ours, or yours do not require the use of apostrophes.
I hope this article helped you to learn what the possessive apostrophe is, why we use this punctuation mark in our writing, and why it is different than possessive pronouns.