Grammar and Language Workbook

Troubleshooter 41

Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Troubleshooter

Incorrect Use of Apostrophes

PROBLEM 1

Singular possessive nouns

apos Pablos new bicycle is in Charles yard.

apos Bills video collection is really great.

apos That horses saddle has real silver on it.

SOLUTION

Pablo’s new bicycle is in Charles’s yard.

Bill’s video collection is really great.

That horse’s saddle has real silver on it.

Place an apostrophe before a final -s to form the possessive of a singular

noun, even one that ends in -s.

PROBLEM 2

Plural possessive nouns that end in -s

apos The girls team won the tournament.

apos The boats sails are very colorful against the blue sky.

apos The model cars boxes are in my room.