The Apostrophe Protection Society

1. The Apostrophe Protection Society Our mission: to correct the awful use of apostrophes.

2. Our mission We at the Apostrophe Protection Society have a duty to protect and correct the use of apostrophes what ever it takes. Examples of awful apostrophe use have come to our attention and we are now doing everything in our power to stop it. So if awful apostrophe use is making you go crazy too, join us on this training programme, to make you a fully qualified Apostrophe Buster!

3. First you need to learn the rules… Apostrophes for possession: These indicate that something belongs to someone or something. Rule 1 – If the owner is singular, put the apostrophe at the end of the word and add an ‘s’. E.g. This is Jane’s cat. Add an apostrophe: The dogs lead was wet.

4. Rule 2 – If the word ends in an ‘s’ already you still need to add an apostrophe and an ‘s’. E.g. Lewis’s computer would not work. Add an apostrophe: James Christmas presents got stolen.

5. Rule 3 – When the owner is plural (more than one) and the word ends in ‘s’ already just put an apostrophe after the ‘s’ that is already there. E.g. The man stole the ladies’ handbags. Add an apostrophe: The pupils homework. • Rule 4 – If the plural doesn’t end in ‘s’ you need to add an apostrophe and an ‘s’. E.g. He went to get the men’s coats. Add an apostrophe: the womens shoes had holes in them.

6. Take care!! • There is no apostrophe with these possessive pronouns: Its his hers ours yours Task: using the rules you have just learnt, add an apostrophe to each sentence. • The boys game of football ended on penalties. • The dogs bone was white. • Chriss sister went to hospital. • The childrens games were stolen.

7. Apostrophes for omission: These indicate that the word has been shortened. When you want to leave out one or more letters put the apostrophe in where the letters come out. E.g. She has She’s You are You’re Can not Can’t Shorten these words using an apostrophe: We have I am Will not

8. Take care!! • Don’t confuse it’s and its. • It’s It is e.g. It’s getting very serious. • Its possessive pronoun e.g. The cat wants its supper. Task: Using the rules you have just learnt, add an apostrophe to each sentence. • Its time we all went to bed. • The dog ate its bone.

9. Below are some examples of shocking apostrophe abuse.

10. Your mission…. • Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to start an apostrophe war. Do not buy the bananas if the sign says ‘Banana’s for sale,’ tell your parents to not take their car to a garage that offers MOT’s, and finally do not even think about purchasing a Christmas tree from the place that says ‘Buy your Christmas tree’s here.’ Do not stand for apostrophe abuse, instead correct and protect it!