This is Peter's dog.

Apostrophes - Singular Possessive (to Proper Nouns)

This quiz, Apostrophes for Singular Possessive to Proper Nouns, is aimed at Year 2 students. It helps them identify when an apostrophe is needed to show singular possession to a proper noun. This is a statutory requirement set out in the National Curriculum for KS1 children and will improve their command of the English language and literacy.

I like my friend Peter’s dog. My friend is called Peter but I have added an apostrophe and an ‘s’ onto his name to show that Peter owns the dog. If an item belongs to somebody, we show this by adding an ‘s.

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Which sentence shows the apostrophe in the correct place?

This is Anne's new watch.

This is Annes new watch.

This is Annes' new watch.

This is Ann'es new watch.

Because Anne's name doesn't end in an 's' we add one. If a name does end in an 's' you can either add 's or just put an apostrophe after it.

Which sentence is perfect?

Jenny's horse was better behaved but I preferred Amys horse.

Jennys horse was better behaved but I preferred Amy's horse.

Jennys horse was better behaved but I preferred Amys horse.

Jenny's horse was better behaved but I preferred Amy's horse.

Horses can sleep both lying down and standing up.

Which sentence is perfect?

Chris beard was getting very long.

Chris' beard was getting very long.

Chris'beard was getting very long.

Chris'ss beard was getting very long.

In 1698, in Russia, men were taxed on having beards!

Which sentence is perfect?

Miss Cook's lessons were Kerry's favourite.

Miss Cooks lessons were Kerry's favourite.

Miss Cook's lessons were Kerrys favourite.

Miss Cooks lessons were Kerrys favourite.

Miss Cook owns the lessons, because they belong to her - they are her lessons. Kerry also owns the idea of something being her favourite.

Which sentence is perfect?

Sallys jumper cost a fortune.

Sallies jumper cost a fortune.

Sally's jumper cost a fortune.

Sallys' jumper cost a fortune.

The jumper belongs to Sally, because she is holding it - it doesn't look like she has bought it yet though!

Which sentence is perfect?

Harrys eyes are blue and his hair is brown.

Harrys' eyes are blue and his hair is brown.

Harry's eyes are blue and his hair is brown.

Harry eyes are blue and his hair is brown.

You can own things that you haven't bought - like eyes, hair etc.

James' new shoes were brilliant. Why don't we need to write James's?

Because James doesn't like too many 's' in his name.

Because it would take too long to add the extra 's'.

If a name ends in an 's' then you only need to add an apostrophe to show possession.

If a name ends in an 's' then they don't own anything.

You have a choice. If a name ends in 's' you can either write it this way: James'; or this way: James's. Both are correct but the preferred way tends to be James'.

That is John's kite. Why is there an apostrophe and an 's' after John's name?

Because his name is Johns.

To show that the kite belongs to John.

Because John belongs to the kite.

Because there are two words being joined together.

We use an apostrophe to show a missing letter for contractions but there is also another use for apostrophes - to show that the kite belongs to John.

Which sentence is perfect?

It was Charlies party but Sarahs birthday and Alan's cake!

It was Charlies' party but Sarahs birthday and Alans cake!

It was Charlies's party but Sarah's' birthday and Alanss' cake!

It was Charlie's party but Sarah's birthday and Alan's cake!

Lots of things belonging to different people here! All need an apostrophe after their name to show the possession of physical things like a cake and non-physical things like a birthday.

10.

Which sentence is perfect?