Year 3 - English
Apostrophes for singular possession and for plural possession
Speech first punctuation and apostrophes
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 use an apostrophe accurately to signal singular possession or plural possession.
Key Notes
- An apostrophe has more than one purpose.
- An apostrophe can show if a noun belongs to another singular noun.
- An apostrophe can show if a noun belongs to another plural noun.
- There are rules for where to place the apostrophe for possession depending on if the noun is singular or plural.
- Apostrophes for singular possession or for plural possession are useful to make our meaning clear.
Vocabulary To Learn
- apostrophe for possession: a punctuation mark that can be used to show if a noun belongs to another singular or plural noun
- singular: only one
- plural: more than one
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils incorrectly place the apostrophe in the singular or plural noun that possesses the second noun.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
An apostrophe has more than one purpose. An apostrophe can show if a noun belongs to another singular noun.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'apostrophe for possession'
a punctuation mark that can be used to show if a noun belongs to another singular or plural noun.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils incorrectly place the apostrophe in the singular or plural noun that possesses the second noun. Correction: An apostrophe is placed before the s at the end of the first noun when it is a singular noun that owns the second noun. An apostrophe is placed after the s at the end of the first noun when it is a plural noun that owns the second noun.
More Lessons In This Unit
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