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Activity 4.15
Lesson: Apostrophes Learning Target
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English punctuation. Apostrophes are punctuation marks that are used to form contractions and to indicate possession.
Contractions
A contraction is a shortened form of a word, word group, or number. An apostrophe takes the place of any letters
or numbers that have been left out.
cannot can’t I am I’m
of the clock o’clock 1950s ’50s
Possessives
Use an apostrophe to form the possessive case of nouns. Singular nouns usually take an apostrophe and an –s:
class’s library
the cat’s toy
Plural nouns ending in –s usually take just an apostrophe:
classes’ libraries
those cats’ toys
Many irregular plural nouns take an apostrophe and an –s:
sheep’s pasture children’s playground
Use an apostrophe to form the possessive case of indefinite pronouns (pronouns that don’t refer to specific persons).
anyone’s time everybody’s effort
Do NOT use an apostrophe to form the possessive case of personal pronouns (pronouns that refer to specific persons).
Grammar Activities • Unit 4 5
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