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Apostrophes for contraction, singular possession and plural possession
I can show how an apostrophe works for contraction, singular possession and plural possession.
Lesson 1 of 3
New
New
- Year 4
Apostrophes for contraction, singular possession and plural possession
I can show how an apostrophe works for contraction, singular possession and plural possession.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- An apostrophe is an important piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- An apostrophe can contract two words together.
- An apostrophe can show if a noun belongs to another singular noun.
- An apostrophe can show if a noun belongs to another plural noun.
- Apostrophes for contraction and possession are useful in writing for different reasons.
Keywords
Apostrophe for contraction - a punctuation mark used to contract two words together
Apostrophe for possession (s) - a punctuation mark used to show if a noun belongs to another singular noun
Apostrophe for possession (pl) - a punctuation mark used to show if a noun belongs to another plural noun
Singular - only one
Plural - more than one
Common misconception
Children may believe all plural nouns end in 's'.
Discuss the plural nouns that do not end in 's' such as children, women, mice.
Repeatedly focus the pupils' attention on the noun doing the possession - it is whether this noun is singular or plural that determines how we use the apostrophe.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which piece of punctuation is found in the word can't?
Which piece of punctuation is found in the word can't?
comma
full stop
inverted commas
Q2.Match the punctuation mark to its name.
Match the punctuation mark to its name.
Q3.Match the contracted form to the full form.
Match the contracted form to the full form.
Q4.Which is closest in meaning to 'possession'?
Which is closest in meaning to 'possession'?
when you love something
when you know something
when you break something
Q5.Which of these nouns are plural?
Which of these nouns are plural?
rat
dream
Q6.Which of these nouns are singular?
Which of these nouns are singular?
teeth
children
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.An apostrophe can be used for contraction. What is contraction?
An apostrophe can be used for contraction. What is contraction?
joining two clauses together to make a compound sentence
showing that one noun belongs to another noun
Q2.Which sentence below uses both apostrophes for contraction correctly?
Which sentence below uses both apostrophes for contraction correctly?
Wed' have won the race if they hadn't cheated.
We'd have won the race if they had'nt cheated.
Q3.Which words in this sentence could be contracted using an apostrophe? 'We could have waited longer, but he did not want to.'
Which words in this sentence could be contracted using an apostrophe? 'We could have waited longer, but he did not want to.'
we could
was so
Q4.Match each 'possession' idea to the sentence that uses it. Each sentence uses an apostrophe for singular possession.
Match each 'possession' idea to the sentence that uses it. Each sentence uses an apostrophe for singular possession.
Q5.Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe for plural possession for the idea 'the field belonging to the bulls'?
Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe for plural possession for the idea 'the field belonging to the bulls'?
We walked nervously through the bull's field.
We walked quietly through the bulls field.
Q6.Tick the sentences that use an apostrophe for plural possession correctly.
Tick the sentences that use an apostrophe for plural possession correctly.
The teeths' enamel was badly worn.
The mens' toilet was very unpleasant.
