Remembering apostrophes
The apostrophe has two uses.
Showing possession
The apostrophe is used to show that a noun has something
belonging to it. Usually if the noun is singular, the apostrophe
goesbeforethe ‘s’ and if it is plural, it goesafterthe ‘s’.
The boy’s coat.
The boys’ playground.The exception is when the noun does not need an ‘s’ to make
it plural. In this case the apostrophe goesbeforethe ‘s’ which
is added.
The children’s clothes.
The mice’s tails.Omitting letters
The apostrophe is also used when a letter is omitted. The
apostrophe is placed instead of the missing letter or letters.
could not couldn’t
have not haven’t
might have might’veWriting in paragraphs
Remember to arrange your sentences in paragraphs. Each
one should deal with one topic and there should be a topic
sentence to introduce it or sum it up. Use single sentence
paragraphs occasionally for effect.
REVISING YOUR WORK / 141