Wednesday, May 09, 2012

POSSESSIVE NOUN - Appostrophe -(')

Possessive Noun - Apostrophe (')
Apostrtophe is the word used when a single quote is raised (') and is generally used with s and other letters like  - s, m, re, etc. It's, that's, I'm,You're etc.
When the 's (Apostrophe 's) is used with a name of the person say Mohan's, Jhon's, Sherly's, Ann's etc, they are proper nouns with 's, it denotes the possessive noun - the subject. Meaning that Mohan, Jhon, Sherly etc. owns or possesses or has control over the object which is followed after the 's.
Example: 
This is Ann's car. ( Meaning - The car is owned by ANN) and NOT ANN has many cars.
Jhon's book is torn. ( Meaning - The book of Jhon is torn)
When 's is used with the plural nouns like Books, Cars etc. the apostrophe s  then BECOMES LIKE THIS s', denoting the plural nature of the noun cars,books, doors, etc.
Example : (Plural)
These are Anns' cars. (use of words 'ARE' and "CARS"  plural nature and the apostrophe s is Ann,s )  - Ann has many cars.
Jhons' books are covered with brown paper (use of words "BOOKS" and "ARE" Jhons' - denoting the plural nature)  - Books of Jhon are covered with brown paper( all books of Jhon)
Use of Short Method to write:
Example:

It is hot milk
  - can be written -   It's hot milk (It's - short form for It is )
There is a heavy discount sale in the city mall - can be written - There's a heavy discount sale in the city mall ( There's - short for There is)
We were late when we arrived at the airport  - can be written - We're late when we arrived at the airport ( We're - short for we were)
They are arriving tomorrow with her daughter - can be written - They're arriving tomorrow with her daughter (They're - short for They are)
Appostrophe (‘): It explains the main rules for its use.

The apostrophe (‘) has two main uses – Contraction and Ownership   

Contraction: Short form to write (mostly used while speaking – the shorter version rather than using it while writing – should be avoided)

  • It replaces missing letters when we join words e.g. I can't , I won’t, You couldn’t, etc.
This is known as a contraction. It is short form of can not (can’t),  would not (won’t), could not (could not).
 Example:
 When contractions are used, the apostrophe replaces the letter or letters that were removed to make a shorter word:
don't  (do not), I'll  (I will), you're (You are)they're  ( they are), It’s (It is), There’s (there is)
 Ownership: Used to own (belong) things or items. Apostrophes are also used to show ownership - they make a word possessive.
 Example: This is daughter’s car.  (This car belongs to my daughter.)
 Some rules to be aware of while using (‘s):
 1. If the word is singular add 's
the student's books - meaning the books belonging to the student.
the boss's armchair; the government's legislation.
2. If the word is a plural but does not end in s add 's :
women's rights - meaning the rights of women.
children's playground - meaning the playground for children;
men's changing rooms - meaning the changing rooms for men.
3. If the word is plural and ends in s just add an apostrophe:
the students' library books - meaning the books belonging to the students.
the ladies' football league; the workers' rights.

Common problems in using apostrophes

The apostrophe is frequently misused. Words that cause particular problems are: its / it's and whose / who's.
Its / it's
Use its when you want to show possession:
the government abandoned its policy.
Its belongs to a group of words that are already possessive. Other examples are: it is hers; it is
yours. These words are already possessive; they do not need apostrophes to indicate possession.
Use it's when you want to shorten it is:
it's a nice day.
It's is a contraction of it is. The apostrophe replaces the missing i.