punctuation_apostrophe

Prévia do material em texto

Business English Success ESFORAY GmbH
Punctuation – Apostrophe
https://business-english-success.com/
https://www.esforay.com/
Business English Success ESFORAY GmbH
Punctuation – The Apostrophe
The apostrophe (´) is not the same as an open quotation mark (‘).
The apostrophe is used to show a contraction.
It is also used to show possession.
It’s and its needs to be explained.
https://business-english-success.com/
https://www.esforay.com/
Business English Success ESFORAY GmbH
Apostrophe – Examples #1
The apostrophe is used to show a contraction.
➢Are you sure you’ve got holiday next week? (you’ve = you have)
➢Are you sure you’re on holiday next week? (you’re = you are)
➢Yes, I’m on holiday next week. (I’m = I am)
➢You’ll have to work harder. (you’ll = you will)
There is only one apostrophe, no matter how many letters are ‘missing’.
https://business-english-success.com/
https://www.esforay.com/
Business English Success ESFORAY GmbH
Apostrophe – Examples #2
The apostrophe is used to show possession.
There are many specific situations that need to be covered.
The simple traditional way was to add ´s to show possession.
Unless the word ends in an s, then just add the apostrophe.
➢That is Paul’s comic.
➢That is Thomas’ comic.
https://business-english-success.com/
https://www.esforay.com/
Business English Success ESFORAY GmbH
Apostrophe – Examples #3
The modern way reflects the way in which we actually speak.
This only affects the words ending in the letter s.
The letter s after the apostrophe is spoken more like a letter z.
➢That is Thomas’s comic.
➢The bus’s passengers are happy.
This is only a very brief overview of this topic.
For this lesson, it is enough to know that the apostrophe is used in all cases.
https://business-english-success.com/
https://www.esforay.com/
Business English Success ESFORAY GmbH
Apostrophe – Examples #4
We don’t use an apostrophe when we use possessive pronouns.
➢That is his’ book. (incorrect)
➢That is his book. (correct)
➢This house is ours’. (incorrect)
➢This house is ours. (correct)
➢Those shoes are her’s. (incorrect)
➢Those shoes are hers. (correct)
https://business-english-success.com/
https://www.esforay.com/
Business English Success ESFORAY GmbH
Apostrophe – it’s and its
If an apostrophe shows a contraction and possession, then how do we interpret “it’s”?
It looks like it could be both.
In order to avoid confusion, we have an exception to the rule.
“It’s” means “it is” and “its” refers to the possessive, by definition.
➢It’s a lovely day today. (it’s = it is)
➢The dog is enjoying its bone. (its = possessive)
https://business-english-success.com/
https://www.esforay.com/