Page 153 - SpringBoard_Writing_Workshop_Grade8_Flipbook

Lesson: Apostrophes (continued)
Incorrect: That notebook is your’s. Correct: That notebook is yours. Incorrect: It’s hinge is rusted. Correct: Its hinge is rusted.
Plurals
There are very few instances when you should use an apostrophe to form a plural: lowercase letters: four s’s in Mississippi
some capital letters: two A’s not written clearly
many numbers and symbols: several 1’s, 7’s, and 0’s, as well as !’s, #’s, and /’s
words referred to as words: How many Mississippi’s did you count?
These apostrophes are generally necessary to prevent misreading. For instance, in “two A’s,” the
expression might seem to include the word As if it did not include an apostrophe. Most of the time, though, you should not use an apostrophe to form a plural:
Incorrect: two Sunday’s in a row Correct: two Sundays in a row
Incorrect: many apostrophe’s on the page Correct: many apostrophes on the page
Check Your Understanding
Read the following sentences. Add any missing apostrophes. Delete any extra apostrophes. If a sentence is already correct as is, write Correct.
1. It’s true that they have lived here for seventeen year’s.
2. I cant decide whether the dog or its owner is nicer.
3. How many is are in the word mischievous?
4. In the 80s we listened to a lot of British electronic music.
5. Is it everyones understanding that we are second on the program?
6. The womens’ room is downstairs.
7. How many pairs of glasses are on Dr. Smith’s shelf?
8. Look at all those blue jay’s!
9. My friend Paul like’s stargazing; its his favorite pastime.
10. Your essay contains several however’s.
6 SpringBoard® Writing Workshop with Grammar Activities Grade 8
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