Lesson 89 the apostrophe answer key – Lesson 89: The Apostrophe Answer Key unlocks the secrets of this essential punctuation mark, guiding you through its rules, placement, and advanced usage. Embark on this linguistic journey to enhance your writing prowess.
Apostrophes play a crucial role in English grammar, distinguishing between contractions, possessive forms, and plurals. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of apostrophe usage, providing clear explanations and illustrative examples.
Apostrophe Rules
Apostrophes are used to indicate the omission of letters in contractions and to form the possessive case of nouns and pronouns.
Contractions
Apostrophes are used to indicate the omission of letters in contractions. A contraction is a shortened form of two words. The apostrophe is placed where the letters are omitted.
- don’t (do not)
- can’t (cannot)
- won’t (will not)
- I’m (I am)
- she’s (she is)
- they’re (they are)
Possessive Case
Apostrophes are used to form the possessive case of nouns and pronouns. The possessive case indicates ownership or belonging.
- The boy’s book
- The girl’s doll
- The dog’s bone
- My friend’s car
- Their house
Plural Forms
Apostrophes are not used to form the plural of nouns. The plural of a noun is formed by adding an -s or -es to the end of the word.
- book (singular) – books (plural)
- girl (singular) – girls (plural)
- dog (singular) – dogs (plural)
Common Apostrophe Errors
Apostrophe errors are among the most common grammatical mistakes. These errors can make your writing look unprofessional and can even change the meaning of your sentences. Here are some of the most common apostrophe errors and how to avoid them:
One of the most common apostrophe errors is using an apostrophe to create a plural noun. For example, “The dog’s barked” should be “The dogs barked.” Another common error is using an apostrophe to create a possessive noun when the noun is already plural.
For example, “The children’s toys” should be “The children’s toys.”
Apostrophes in Contractions
Apostrophes are also used to create contractions. A contraction is a shortened form of two words. For example, “can’t” is a contraction of “cannot.” When creating a contraction, the apostrophe takes the place of the letters that are omitted. For example, “won’t” is a contraction of “will not.”
Apostrophes in Possessive Nouns
Apostrophes are used to create possessive nouns. A possessive noun shows that something belongs to someone or something else. To create a possessive noun, add an apostrophe and an “s” to the end of the noun. For example, “the dog’s bone” shows that the bone belongs to the dog.
Advanced Apostrophe Usage
Apostrophes are used in a variety of special cases, including plurals of compound nouns, dates, and numbers.
Plurals of Compound Nouns, Lesson 89 the apostrophe answer key
When a compound noun is used as a unit, it takes an apostrophe followed by an sin the plural form. For example:
- mother-in-law’s
- attorney general’s
- court-martial’s
However, if the compound noun is used as separate words, each word takes an apostrophe and an sin the plural form. For example:
- mothers-in-law
- attorneys general
- courts-martial
Dates and Numbers
Apostrophes are used to indicate omitted digits in dates and numbers. For example:
- The class of ’23
- The year 1990’s
- The number 1,000’s
Essential FAQs: Lesson 89 The Apostrophe Answer Key
What are the basic rules for using apostrophes?
Apostrophes are primarily used to indicate contractions (e.g., don’t, won’t) and possessive forms (e.g., the boy’s toy, Mary’s car).
How do I determine the correct placement of apostrophes?
For contractions, the apostrophe replaces the omitted letter(s). For possessive forms, the apostrophe is placed after the noun or pronoun indicating ownership.
What are some common apostrophe errors?
Misplacing the apostrophe, using it incorrectly to form plurals, and omitting it in possessive forms are common errors to avoid.
