Omissions (Missing Letters)
Words can be easily shortened by replacing letters with apostrophes.
e.g. It is → It's. You will → You'll.

Where should the apostrophe go?

  1. Its a nice day.
  2. Jennys not here yet
  3. We cant
  1. It's a nice day.
  2. Jenny's not here yet
  3. We can't

Possession (to Show Belonging)
Whatever word is before the apostrophe ‘owns’ whatever comes after it:
Paris’ nightlife, the cat’s whiskers.
Exception: With pronouns (its, hers, theirs) there is no need to use the apostrophe to show possession

Place the apostrophe in the right place:

  1. The moons light;
  2. I looked at its face;
  3. The mans eyes lit up when he saw its bright eyes;
  4. Santa Claus grotto;
  5. Mr Jones brand new car;
  6. The cows tails.
  1. The moon's light;
  2. I looked at its face;
  3. The man's eyes lit up when he saw its bright eyes;
  4. Santa Claus' grotto;
  5. Mr Jones' brand new car;
  6. The cows' tails.

Possession (to Show Belonging)
Possession or omission?
Drag the phrase to the correct use of apostrophe:

Possession


Love's young dream Bobby's socks The mouse's tail The game's lost I'm late again We'll see you later The food's cold

Omission