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Year 3 - English

Apostrophes for contraction and singular possession review

Speech first punctuation and apostrophes

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils punctuate direct speech for the first time in a sentence where the direct speech comes first and the reporting clause comes second. They review learning around using apostrophes for contraction and singular possession; they also learn to use an apostrophe for plural possession.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to show how an apostrophe works for contraction and for singular possession.

Key Notes

  • 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.
  • Apostrophes for contraction and singular possession are useful in writing for different reasons.
  • Apostrophes are most deeply understood when word class is understood.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • apostrophe for contraction: a punctuation mark used to contract two words together
  • apostrophe for possession: a punctuation mark that can be used to show if a noun belongs to another singular noun
  • singular: only one

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • All words that end in -s need an apostrophe before the -s.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

An apostrophe is an important piece of punctuation with more than one purpose. An apostrophe can contract two words together.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'apostrophe for contraction'

a punctuation mark used to contract two words together.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: All words that end in -s need an apostrophe before the -s. Correction: An apostrophe before the 's' is only used for indicating possession in singular nouns, not for all words ending in 's'.

More Lessons In This Unit

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