Basic Details
Word: Apostrophe
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The punctuation mark (') used to show that something belongs to someone (Meera's bag) or that letters have been left out (don't).
How to Spell Apostrophe
Syllables: a - pos - tro - phe
Tricky part: The word ends in -phe, which sounds like fee, so students write apostrofe or apostrophy. There is only one p at the start.
Watch out for: appostrophe, apostrofe, apostrophy
Memory tip: Catastrophe ends in exactly the same way: -strophe, said strof-ee. If you can spell one, you can spell the other.
Usage Examples
Example 1: My teacher circled every missing apostrophe in my essay in red ink.
Example 2: In the shop sign Childrens Books, an apostrophe is needed before the s.
Example 3: Ajay put the apostrophe in the wrong place and wrote its' instead of it's.
Fun Fact
Of the two words its and it's, only it's (meaning it is or it has) takes an apostrophe; the possessive its never does.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
One letter in this word is not needed. Find it:
appostrophe
a) s
b) h
c) o
d) p
Show answer
d) p. Apostrophe begins with a single p, so the second one has to go.
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly and one is misspelt. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. apostrofe 2. exclamation 3. parenthesis 4. ellipsis
a) a sudden cry that shows strong feeling
b) a word or phrase added as an extra, often in brackets
c) a mark used to show possession or missing letters
d) three dots that show words have been left out
Show answer
c) a mark used to show possession or missing letters. The f sound in apostrophe is written ph, as in catastrophe; the other three words are spelt correctly.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters to find the word that fits the sentence:
Shortening do not to don't needs one potorepash between the n and the t.
a) apostrophe
b) astrophysics
c) catastrophe
d) apostle
Show answer
a) apostrophe. The letters make apostrophe, the mark that stands in for the missing o.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which is the correct short form of do not?
a) dont'
b) don't
c) do'nt
d) 'dont
Show answer
b) don't
2. The apostrophe in Meera's book shows ____.
a) that Meera is asking a question
b) that the book has no title
c) that there are many Meeras
d) that the book belongs to Meera
Show answer
d) that the book belongs to Meera
