Job 1: missing letters (contractions)
The apostrophe goes exactly where the letters are missing:
| Long form | Short form | Letters missing |
|---|---|---|
| do not | don’t | o |
| it is | it’s | i |
| I am | I’m | a |
| they are | they’re | a |
| will not | won’t | (a special one!) |
Job 2: belonging (possession)
| Owner | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| one owner | add ’s | the dog’s bone (one dog) |
| more than one owner, ending in s | add just ’ after the s | the dogs’ bones (lots of dogs) |
| plural not ending in s | add ’s | the children’s toys, the men’s coats |
| a name ending in s | add ’s (most common) | James’s bag |
The two big traps
- its (belonging to it) has no apostrophe: The cat licked its paw. it’s always means it is or it has.
- Plurals never need an apostrophe just because there’s more than one: apples for sale ✔, apple’s for sale ✘
Watch out! Before adding ’s, ask: “Does something belong to it, or are there just more than one?”
Top tip: for it’s or its, try saying “it is”. If it makes sense, use it’s.
🗂️ Which job?1 of 8
Is the apostrophe showing missing letters, or that something belongs to someone?
🙅
don’t
🔎 Apostrophe check1 of 5