The apostrophe followed by “s” (‘s) has multiple uses in English grammar, and its primary functions are to indicate possession and to form contractions.
Let’s explore these uses:
Possessive ‘s:
Usage:
Indicates ownership or possession.
Examples:
”The cat’s tail is fluffy”. (The tail belongs to the cat.)
”John’s car is in the parking lot”. (The car belongs to John.)
Contractions with (‘s):
Usage:
Shortens words by combining the subject or object with a form of the verb “to be” or an auxiliary verb.
Examples:
He’s (He is) coming to the party.
She’s (She has) already finished her homework.
It’s (It is) a beautiful day.
‘S with pronouns:
Usage:
Commonly used with pronouns to indicate possession.
Examples:
Sarah is my friend. That’s her cat. (That is her cat.)
The book is mine. It’s mine. (It is mine.)
Plural possessive (‘s):
Usage:
For possessive forms of plural nouns ending in “s,” the apostrophe is placed after the “s.”
Examples:
The students’ books are on the shelf. (The books belong to the students.)
The girls’ dresses are beautiful. (The dresses belong to the girls.)
‘S with time expressions:
Usage:
Used with time expressions to show possession or association.
Examples:
A day’s work (the work of one day)
Two weeks’ notice (the notice period of two weeks)
The apostrophe followed by “s” is a versatile tool in English, used for both possession and contractions. Ensure proper usage to convey ownership, shorten words in contractions, and avoid common mistakes. Practice incorporating these forms into your writing to improve your overall grammar skills. Happy learning!
