Question

using the apostrophe
exercise one
analyze each of the following and then identify if the apostrophe is being used correctly or incorrectly.

1. steves phone wouldnt turn on
2. beth didnt enjoy scary movies.
3. its a tough day when we lose.
4. it was the product of several years work.
5. she stumbled into the mens bathroom.
6. the lion leisurely licked its paws.
7. he interrupted the accountantss lunch.
8. the chair was ugly; its presence was off - putting
9. the students shouts of joy filled the hall.
10. mr. stevens briefcase sat on the kitchen table.
11. the mess in the room was ours.
12. he couldnt get over the fact that she didnt arrive.

exercise two
for each of the following sentences have apostrophe errors (some have multiple). first circle the errors and then re - write the sentences with the corrections.

1. josephines diary was left open on the desk.
2. he walked into the girls locker room by mistake.
3. she didnt know which of the socks was hers and which were amys.
4. when i have guests, they always use the visitors bathroom.
5. im always late for school in the mornings, but its my dads fault.
6. jane austens books are the classes favorite.
7. charles doctors office is in the next building.
8. weve achieved high marks this year; were new yorks best school.
9. her baby loves the rattle; its his best toy.
10. the childrens bags werent labeled, so i didnt know which was sarahs.

Explanation:

1. In "Josephines' diary", it should be "Josephine's" as it is a singular possessive.
2. "girls locker room" should be "girls' locker room" for plural possessive.
3. "her's" is incorrect, should be "hers"; "Amys" should be "Amy's".
4. "visitors bathroom" should be "visitors' bathroom".
5. "Im" should be "I'm"; "dads" should be "dad's".
6. "Austens" should be "Austen's"; "classes" should be "class's".
7. "doctors" should be "doctor's".
8. "New Yorks" should be "New York's".
9. "its" should be "it's" to mean "it is".
10. "childrens" should be "children's"; "Sarahs" should be "Sarah's".

Answer:

1. Josephine's diary was left open on the desk.
2. He walked into the girls' locker room by mistake.
3. She didn't know which of the socks was hers and which were Amy's.
4. When I have guests, they always use the visitors' bathroom.
5. I'm always late for school in the mornings, but it's my dad's fault.
6. Jane Austen's books are the class's favorite.
7. Charles's doctor's office is in the next building.
8. We've achieved high marks this year; we're New York's best school.
9. Her baby loves the rattle; it's his best toy.
10. The children's bags weren't labeled, so I didn't know which was Sarah's.