APOSTROPHE: three main uses 

1.    CONTRACTIONS - takes the place of omitted letters 

I am = I'm	will not = won't	it is = it's
you would = you'd	she will =  she'll	there is - there's

 

CAUTION:	DO NOT CONFUSE THESE WORDS:
	they're =  they are;   their = belonging to them
	you're =  you are;   your = belonging to you
	it's =  it is;   its = belonging to it
	who's =  who is;   whose = belonging to whom

 

2.	POSSESSION - shows that something belongs to someone or something
	the stereo owned by Sarah = Sarah's stereo
	the spare tire belonging to the Ford = the Ford's spare tire
	the book of my sister = my sister's book

 

CAUTION:	Use an apostrophe plus s to show possession with a singular word.       the bicycle belonging to Charles = Charles's bicycle       the color of the flower = the flower's color
	If a plural word ends in s, add only an apostrophe. Make the word plural first; then decide about the apostrophe.       the cloud's shapes; the 2 boys' skates; the home of the     Anderson family = the Andersons' home
	If a plural does not end  in s, add the 's.       woman (singular) = women (plural) = women's (possessive))       ox (singular) - oxen (plural) = oxen's (possessive)
SPECIAL CONDITION:	check for unusual possessions:  a moment's notice; a day's pay;  an hour's notice; a dollar's worth; someone else's problem;  mother-in-law's love

 

3.	SPECIAL PLURALS (Underline the plural.)
	Letters:   The word contained 4 t's. (underline)
	Numbers:   The winning lottery ticket contained six 5's.
	Words used as items, not meanings: Several likes's littered her conversation.   All it's  should  have a clear antecedent.   Only two R.N.'s are available today.  (Underline letters, numerals, and words used as items in a sentence.)

CAPITALIZATION: 
 

1.	CAPITALIZE proper nouns (the name of a person or place), proper adjectives, names and  first words in sentences

        Names and abbreviations used as names

QUOTATION MARKS:   two main uses 
 

1.	DIRECT QUOTATIONS - to indicate the exact words written or spoken.
	NOTE: A comma comes before the quotation marks.
	"if you will help me," replied Mark, "then I will help you. We can bepartners."
	CAUTION: Do not use quotation marks with an indirect quotation. The word that often introduces an indirect quotation.
	Direct:   Alley said, "My sister passed her driver's test."
	Indirect:   Alley said that her sister passed her driver's test.

 

2.	TITLES OF SHORT WORKS - short stories, newspaper or magazine articles, song titles, poems, single TV shows, book chapters
	CAUTION:   Do not put quotation marks around the titles of your essays.
	The article "How to Cope with Stress" appears in the latest issue of Time magazine.
	"Barn Burning" is the title of a short story written by William Faulkner

 

NOTE:	Periods and commas always go before the quotation marks.
	Semicolons and colons always go after the quotation marks.
	Question marks and exclamation marks normally go before the quotation  marks.
CAUTION:	Underline the titles of books, magazines, newspapers, films, and television  programs

 
 

Exercise: Correct all errors in capitalization.

For our vacation this Summer, our family decided to travel West. I told my parents, "let's do 

something different this year." I had just graduated from High School, so I wanted to see something 

new to me, such as native American architecture. Also, since I was enrolling in College in the fall, i 

wanted to spend some time with Mom and Dad. Besides, such a trip could be of value in a future 

Geology class. We decided on a 2 week trip to new mexico and arizona. After packing clothes, 

camping gear, cokes, food, nintendo, and frisbee in our ford, we prepared to leave early the next 

day, at about 5 a.m. Little did we suspect that a surprising adventure awaited us in the Deserts of 

The West. We would experience cowboy, spanish, and indian cultures from the past and the 

present. What a trip! 

Exercise: Read this paragraph carefully. Correct all errors relating to the correct use of apostrophes and quotation marks. Add the marks where they are needed and remove unneeded marks.

Trying to remember past conversations can be confusing. For example, my brother told me, you 

can borrow my new sweater. However, now I cant remember what day he needs it back. I dont 

even recall the date the conversation occurred! Similarly, last month I was invited for dinner at my 

grandmas house, but, not remembering the exact time, I arrived very early and yelled I hope Im not 

too late, Grandma. She smiled and asked Are you already hungry? I just smiled. A smile is really a 

guys best defense. Then yesterday my mom asked me to pick up my sisters at The Childrens' 

Museum. Its a wonder that I arrived on schedule. The girl's were outside playing with friend's. 

When we walked into the house,- my mom clapped.- Im- so proud she said that I can depend on 

you. Dont worry I replied. It's all in a days work! Well, she seemed to be happy. However, I'll 

have to try to remember conversations. Either that or I'll have to be ready to leave at a moments 

notice.