The ChestertonPunctuation Guide

with examples from G.K. Chesterton

apostrophes

compiled by Mr. RoseArchbishop Moeller High School

Punctuation Matters

What’s wrong with this picture?

The apostrophe (’)1. Use an apostrophe to indicate that

a noun is possessive – that it shows ownership. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding ‘s. Form the possessive plural by adding (’) if an s is already present.

Example:The center of every man’s existence is a dream.

3Mr. Rose

The apostrophe (’)1. Use an apostrophe to indicate that

a noun is possessive – that it shows ownership. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding ‘s. Form the possessive plural by adding (’) if an s is already present.

Example:The center of every man’s existence is a dream.

4Mr. Rose

The apostrophe (’)1. Use an apostrophe to indicate that

a noun is possessive – that it shows ownership. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding ‘s. Form the possessive plural by adding (’) if an s is already present.

Example:The center of every man’s existence is a dream.

5Mr. Rose

The apostrophe (’)2. Use an apostrophe to

indicate a contraction.

Example:It's not that we don't have enough scoundrels to curse; it's that we don't have enough good men to curse them.

6Mr. Rose

The apostrophe (’)3. Use an apostrophe to

indicate plural numbers, letters, and abbreviations.

Example:Two large J’s were painted on the door.

7Mr. Rose

The apostrophe (’)4. Use an apostrophe to

indicate plural numbers, letters, and abbreviations.

Example:Two large J’s were painted on the door.

8Mr. Rose