Punctuation and Capitalization Conventions

Capital letters help readers know where sentences begin and which words are special. Using capital letters the right way makes writing clear and easy to read.

In this lesson, you will learn the standard capitalization rules for 3rd grade. You will learn to capitalize:

• the first word in a sentence,
• the pronoun I,
• proper nouns, such as names, places, and holidays.

Let’s learn each rule one at a time.

1. Capitalize the first word in every sentence.

Every sentence begins with a capital letter. This shows the reader where a new sentence starts.

• Correct: My dog likes to run.
• Incorrect: my dog likes to run.

It does not matter how long or short the sentence is. The first word always begins with a capital letter.

• Correct: We played.
• Correct: After lunch, we played outside on the playground.

2. Always capitalize the pronoun I.

The word I is special. When you are talking about yourself, the word I is always capitalized.

• Correct: I am reading a book.
• Incorrect: i am reading a book.

This rule is true no matter where I appears in the sentence.

• My brother and I went to the park.
• Can I have some juice?

3. Capitalize proper nouns.

A proper noun is a special name. Proper nouns name a specific person, place, or holiday. These words begin with capital letters.

Capitalize names of people.

• Correct: Maria has a red backpack.
• Correct: My teacher is Mr. Lee.

Capitalize names of places.

• Correct: We live in Texas.
• Correct: The class visited Lincoln Park.

Capitalize names of holidays.

• Correct: We eat turkey on Thanksgiving.
• Correct: I got a gift on Christmas.

Here is a helpful idea: if a word is a special name, it probably needs a capital letter.

Common nouns and proper nouns are different.

A common noun names any person, place, or thing. A proper noun names a special one.

• Common noun: girl
• Proper noun: Ava
• Common noun: city
• Proper noun: Chicago
• Common noun: holiday
• Proper noun: New Year’s Day

You do not capitalize every word. You capitalize only the words that follow the rules.

• Correct: My friend Sam went to Florida.
• Not correct: My Friend Sam Went To Florida.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: i like to draw.

Step 1: Look at the first word. It should begin with a capital letter.

Step 2: The word I must always be capitalized.

Correct sentence: I like to draw.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: my friend lucas is here.

Step 1: Capitalize the first word: My

Step 2: Capitalize the person’s name: Lucas

Correct sentence: My friend Lucas is here.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: we went to california in july.

Step 1: Capitalize the first word: We

Step 2: Capitalize the place name: California

Step 3: The word july is the name of a month, so it is also capitalized: July

Correct sentence: We went to California in July.

Worked Example 4

Sentence: on thanksgiving, my sister and i visit grandma rosa in denver.

Step 1: Capitalize the first word: On

Step 2: Capitalize the holiday: Thanksgiving

Step 3: Capitalize the pronoun I

Step 4: Capitalize the name of the person: Rosa

Step 5: Capitalize the place name: Denver

Correct sentence: On Thanksgiving, my sister and I visit Grandma Rosa in Denver.

Tips to help you remember

• Ask, “Is this the first word of the sentence?”
• Ask, “Is the word I in the sentence?”
• Ask, “Is this a special name for a person, place, or holiday?”

Try this check in your own writing:

1. Read the sentence from the beginning.
2. Circle the first word. Make sure it starts with a capital letter.
3. Look for the word I.
4. Look for names, places, and holidays.
5. Fix any word that should begin with a capital letter.

Quick practice

• emma and i went to the zoo. → Emma and I went to the zoo.
• we celebrate halloween in october. → We celebrate Halloween in October.
• my uncle lives in ohio. → My uncle lives in Ohio.

Summary

Capitalization helps writing look neat and makes it easier to understand. Remember these important rules: capitalize the first word of every sentence, the pronoun I, and proper nouns such as names, places, and holidays. When you check your writing, look for these special words and make sure they begin with capital letters.

Title Capitalization means writing the words in a title with the correct capital letters.

We use title capitalization for the names of books, stories, poems, songs, essays, and articles. A title should be easy to read and look neat.

When you write a title, do not capitalize every single word. Instead, follow a few simple rules.

Rule 1: Always capitalize the first word in a title.

Rule 2: Always capitalize the last word in a title.

Rule 3: Capitalize the important words in the middle of the title.

Rule 4: Usually do not capitalize small, unimportant words in the middle, such as a, an, the, and, in, on, of, to, for.

These small words stay lowercase if they are in the middle of the title. But if one of these words is the first or last word, it should still begin with a capital letter.

Think of it this way:

• Big important words get capitals.
• Small middle words usually do not.
• The first and last words always get capitals.

Here are some important words that usually get capital letters in titles:

• naming words like Dog, School, River
• action words like Runs, Jumps, Sleeps
• describing words like Funny, Blue, Tiny

Here are some small words that are often lowercase in the middle of titles:

• a
• an
• the
• and
• of
• in
• on
• to
• for

Let’s look at some examples.

Example 1: the cat in the hat

Step by step:

1. The first word is The, so capitalize it.
2. The important words Cat and Hat get capitals.
3. The small word in stays lowercase because it is in the middle.
4. The word the before Hat stays lowercase because it is a small middle word.

Correct title: The Cat in the Hat

Example 2: a trip to the zoo

Step by step:

1. The first word is A, so capitalize it.
2. The important words Trip and Zoo get capitals.
3. The small words to and the stay lowercase because they are in the middle.

Correct title: A Trip to the Zoo

Example 3: the best day of summer

Step by step:

1. The first word The gets a capital letter.
2. The important words Best, Day, and Summer get capitals.
3. The small word of stays lowercase because it is in the middle.

Correct title: The Best Day of Summer

Example 4: in the garden

This example helps us remember a special rule.

1. The word In is usually a small word.
2. But here, it is the first word, so it must be capitalized.
3. The word the is a small middle word, so it stays lowercase.
4. The last word Garden gets a capital letter.

Correct title: In the Garden

Let’s compare correct and incorrect titles.

• Correct: The Lion and the Mouse
• Incorrect: The Lion And The Mouse

Why? The word and is a small middle word, so it should not be capitalized.

• Correct: A Walk in the Park
• Incorrect: a Walk in the Park

Why? The first word must always begin with a capital letter.

• Correct: The Colors of Fall
• Incorrect: The Colors Of Fall

Why? The word of is a small middle word, so it should stay lowercase.

Here is a helpful way to check your work:

1. Look at the first word. Is it capitalized?
2. Look at the last word. Is it capitalized?
3. Look at the important words in the middle. Are they capitalized?
4. Look at the small middle words. Are they lowercase?

You can also use this simple memory trick:

First, Last, Important. Capitalize the first word, the last word, and the important words.

Now let’s practice thinking about titles.

If the title is the dog and the frog, the correct title is The Dog and the Frog.

If the title is a song for my friend, the correct title is A Song for My Friend.

If the title is on the way home, the correct title is On the Way Home.

Summary: In title capitalization, capitalize the first word, the last word, and all the important words. Small words like a, an, the, and, of, in, on, to, for usually stay lowercase when they are in the middle of the title. If a small word is first or last, capitalize it.

End Punctuation Application

When we write sentences, we need to show where each sentence ends. We do this with end punctuation.

End punctuation helps the reader know how to read the sentence. It also helps the reader understand the writer’s meaning and feeling.

There are 3 main end marks you will use:

• Period .
• Question mark ?
• Exclamation point !

Let’s learn when to use each one.

1. Use a period (.) for a telling sentence.

A telling sentence gives information. It tells something, shares a fact, or makes a statement.

• The dog is sleeping.
• I have a blue backpack.
• We went to the library.

If the sentence is calmly telling something, it usually ends with a period.

2. Use a question mark (?) for an asking sentence.

An asking sentence asks something. It wants an answer.

• Where is my pencil?
• Did you eat breakfast?
• Can we play outside?

If the sentence asks, it ends with a question mark.

3. Use an exclamation point (!) for a strong feeling or excitement.

An exclamation point shows big feeling. It can show surprise, excitement, fear, or a strong command.

• Watch out!
• That roller coaster was amazing!
• Hooray, we won the game!

Use an exclamation point when the sentence has strong emotion or energy.

How to choose the correct end punctuation

1. Read the sentence.
2. Ask yourself: Is it telling, asking, or showing strong feeling?
3. Choose the correct mark:

• Telling  period .
• Asking  question mark ?
• Strong feeling  exclamation point !

Remember: A sentence should have one end mark at the end.

• Correct: I am ready.
• Incorrect: I am ready!?

End punctuation and sentence boundaries

End punctuation also shows where one sentence stops and the next sentence begins.

Look at this example without end punctuation:

I like apples do you like oranges we can share fruit

This is hard to read because we do not know where each sentence ends.

Now look at it with correct end punctuation:

I like apples. Do you like oranges? We can share fruit.

Now the writing is clear and easy to read.

Worked Example 1: Telling sentence

Sentence: My cat naps on the couch

Step 1: Ask, is the sentence telling something, asking something, or showing strong feeling?

Step 2: This sentence is telling something.

Step 3: Use a period.

Answer: My cat naps on the couch.

Worked Example 2: Asking sentence

Sentence: What time is lunch

Step 1: This sentence asks for an answer.

Step 2: Because it is asking, use a question mark.

Answer: What time is lunch?

Worked Example 3: Strong feeling

Sentence: We are going to the zoo

Step 1: This could be a telling sentence or an excited sentence.

Step 2: If the writer is just saying it calmly, use a period: We are going to the zoo.

Step 3: If the writer is very excited, use an exclamation point: We are going to the zoo!

This shows that punctuation can change the tone, or feeling, of a sentence.

Worked Example 4: Finding sentence boundaries

Sentence group: The rain is falling where is my umbrella I need it now

Step 1: Find the first complete thought: The rain is falling

It tells something, so add a period.

The rain is falling.

Step 2: Find the next complete thought: where is my umbrella

It asks something, so add a question mark.

Where is my umbrella?

Step 3: Find the last complete thought: I need it now

This shows strong feeling because it sounds urgent, so add an exclamation point.

Answer: The rain is falling. Where is my umbrella? I need it now!

Helpful clues

• If the sentence starts with words like who, what, when, where, why, or how, it is often a question.
• If the sentence sounds calm, it often needs a period.
• If the sentence sounds excited or urgent, it may need an exclamation point.

Be careful!

• Do not use a question mark unless the sentence asks something.
• Do not use an exclamation point for every sentence. Save it for strong feelings.
• Make sure every sentence has an end mark.

Let’s compare

• You finished your homework. This is telling.
• You finished your homework? This is asking.
• You finished your homework! This shows strong feeling.

The words can be almost the same, but the end punctuation changes how the sentence sounds.

Summary

End punctuation is the mark at the end of a sentence. A period ends a telling sentence, a question mark ends an asking sentence, and an exclamation point ends a sentence with strong feeling.

When you write, always check the end of each sentence. Ask yourself: Am I telling, asking, or showing strong feeling? Then choose the right punctuation mark.

Commas in a Series

When we write a list of three or more things in a sentence, we use commas to separate the items. This helps the reader see each item clearly.

This is called using commas in a series. A series is a list written inside a sentence.

Look at this sentence:

I packed apples, crackers, and juice.

The commas show that apples, crackers, and juice are three different items in the list.

If we leave out the commas, the sentence can be hard to read:

I packed apples crackers and juice.

The commas make the sentence neat, clear, and easy to understand.

When do we use commas in a series?

• Use commas when there are three or more items in a list.
• The items can be things, people, places, or actions.
• Each item in the list is separated by a comma.

Examples:

• We saw lions, tigers, and bears.
• Mia likes drawing, reading, and singing.
• Our trip stops in Dallas, Austin, and Houston.

How to use commas in a series

1. Find the list in the sentence.
2. Count the items. If there are three or more, you need commas.
3. Put a comma after each item in the list, except the last one.
4. The word and or or often comes before the last item.

Here is the pattern:

item, item, and item

or

item, item, or item

Worked Example 1

Sentence: I have a pencil an eraser and a notebook.

Step 1: Find the list: a pencil, an eraser, a notebook.

Step 2: There are three items, so we need commas.

Correct sentence: I have a pencil, an eraser, and a notebook.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: On the farm we saw cows pigs chickens and goats.

Step 1: Find the list: cows, pigs, chickens, goats.

Step 2: There are four items, so commas are needed.

Correct sentence: On the farm we saw cows, pigs, chickens, and goats.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: Ella washed dried and folded the towels.

Step 1: Find the list of actions: washed, dried, folded.

Step 2: There are three actions, so use commas.

Correct sentence: Ella washed, dried, and folded the towels.

Worked Example 4

Sentence: Do you want grapes apple slices or carrots?

Step 1: Find the list: grapes, apple slices, carrots.

Step 2: There are three items. Use commas.

Correct sentence: Do you want grapes, apple slices, or carrots?

Remember these important ideas

• Use commas only when the sentence has a list of three or more.
• If there are only two items, you do not need a comma in the list.

Example with two items:

I brought markers and paper.

This sentence has only two items: markers and paper. No comma is needed.

Watch out for these mistakes

• Forgetting commas: I like red blue and green.
• Correct: I like red, blue, and green.
• Adding commas with only two items: I like red, and blue.
• Correct: I like red and blue.

Try thinking like this:

Ask yourself, Am I naming three or more things, places, people, or actions? If the answer is yes, use commas to separate them.

More examples

• The bag held books, folders, and crayons.
• We ran, jumped, and played at recess.
• My favorite months are June, July, and August.
• You may color with crayons, markers, or pencils.

Summary

Commas in a series help separate three or more items in a sentence. Put a comma after each item in the list except the last one. The last item usually comes after and or or. Using commas makes your writing clear and easy to read.

Commas in Dates and Addresses

Commas are small marks, but they do an important job. They help readers know where to pause and how parts of a sentence go together.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use commas correctly in dates and addresses. These are two places where writers often need commas.

When do we use commas in dates?

A date can have a month, a day, and a year.

• Example: June 4, 2020

When a date has all three parts, put a comma after the day.

• Correct: July 12, 2019
• Incorrect: July 12 2019

If the full date is inside a sentence, add another comma after the year, too.

• Correct: My dog was born on July 12, 2019, at our old house.
• Incorrect: My dog was born on July 12, 2019 at our old house.

If you write only the month and year, you do not need a comma.

• Correct: July 2019
• Incorrect: July, 2019

When do we use commas in addresses?

An address can have different parts. One important rule is to put a comma between the city and the state.

• Correct: Austin, Texas
• Incorrect: Austin Texas

If the city and state are in the middle of a sentence, add another comma after the state.

• Correct: My aunt lives in Austin, Texas, with her cat.
• Incorrect: My aunt lives in Austin, Texas with her cat.

You may also see a full street address. Writers often use commas to separate parts of the address.

• Example: 15 Pine Road, Austin, Texas

The most important rule to remember for this lesson is this: put a comma between the city and state.

Let’s look at the rules together.

1. In a date, put a comma between the day and the year.
   Example: March 8, 2023
2. If the full date is in a sentence, put a comma after the year too.
   Example: We moved on March 8, 2023, to a new home.
3. In an address, put a comma between the city and the state.
   Example: Miami, Florida
4. If the city and state are in a sentence, put a comma after the state too.
   Example: My friend moved to Miami, Florida, last year.

Worked Example 1: Date

Sentence: My birthday is on May 6 2016.

Step 1: Find the date parts: May, 6, 2016.

Step 2: Put a comma between the day and the year.

Correct sentence: My birthday is on May 6, 2016.

Worked Example 2: Date in a sentence

Sentence: On October 31, 2022 we wore costumes to school.

Step 1: The full date is in the middle of the sentence.

Step 2: Put a comma after the day and another comma after the year.

Correct sentence: On October 31, 2022, we wore costumes to school.

Worked Example 3: Address

Sentence: My cousin lives in Denver Colorado.

Step 1: Find the city: Denver.

Step 2: Find the state: Colorado.

Step 3: Put a comma between the city and the state.

Correct sentence: My cousin lives in Denver, Colorado.

Worked Example 4: Address in a sentence

Sentence: We visited Seattle Washington last summer.

Step 1: Find the city and state: Seattle, Washington.

Step 2: Because the address part is inside a sentence, put a comma after the state too.

Correct sentence: We visited Seattle, Washington, last summer.

Tips to help you remember

• In a date, the comma goes after the day.
• In an address, the comma goes after the city.
• If the date or address is in the middle of a sentence, there is often another comma after it.
• If there is only a month and year, like April 2021, do not use a comma.

Watch out for these common mistakes

• Wrong: January 5 2020
  Right: January 5, 2020
• Wrong: Dallas Texas
  Right: Dallas, Texas
• Wrong: In June, 2021 we went camping.
  Right: In June 2021 we went camping.
• Wrong: We moved to Albany, New York last week.
  Right: We moved to Albany, New York, last week.

Quick Check

Which sentence is correct?

• A. School starts on August 18 2024.
• B. School starts on August 18, 2024.

Answer: B, because there must be a comma between the day and the year.

Which sentence is correct?

• A. My uncle lives in Phoenix Arizona.
• B. My uncle lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

Answer: B, because there must be a comma between the city and the state.

Summary

Use commas to separate parts of dates and addresses. Put a comma between the day and year in a full date, and put a comma between the city and state in an address.

If the date or address comes in the middle of a sentence, add another comma after it. With practice, commas in dates and addresses will become easy to spot and use.

Commas in Greetings and Closings

When we write a letter or an email, we often begin with a greeting and end with a closing. A comma helps show where the greeting or closing ends.

Using commas the right way makes writing clear and neat. It also helps your reader know exactly how your message begins and ends.

What is a greeting?

A greeting is the way you say hello at the beginning of a letter or email. It is also called a salutation.

Here are some greetings:

• Dear Mom,
• Hello Ava,
• Hi Grandpa,

Notice something important: a comma goes at the end of the greeting.

What is a closing?

A closing is the way you end a letter or email before your name. It is your sign-off.

Here are some closings:

• Love,
• Your friend,
• From,

Notice this rule too: a comma goes at the end of the closing.

Main Rule to Remember

• Put a comma after the greeting.
• Put a comma after the closing.

Greeting examples

• Dear Ms. Lee,
• Hello Ben,
• Hi Dad,

Closing examples

• Love,
• Your friend,
• Sincerely,

Where does your name go?

Your name comes under the closing. The comma goes after the closing words, not after your name in this part.

Example:

Love,
Maria

How a letter looks

Here is a simple letter:

Dear Nana,
Thank you for the book.
Love,
Jayden

The greeting Dear Nana, has a comma. The closing Love, has a comma too.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: Dear Sam

This is a greeting. It needs a comma at the end.

Correct: Dear Sam,

Worked Example 2

Sentence: Your friend

This is a closing. It needs a comma at the end.

Correct: Your friend,

Worked Example 3

Wrong letter:

Hello Mia
Can you come over after school?
Love
Emma

What is wrong?

• The greeting is missing a comma.
• The closing is missing a comma.

Correct letter:

Hello Mia,
Can you come over after school?
Love,
Emma

Worked Example 4

Wrong email:

Hi Coach
Thank you for helping our team.
Sincerely
Noah

Fix it step by step:

1. Add a comma after the greeting: Hi Coach,
2. Add a comma after the closing: Sincerely,

Correct email:

Hi Coach,
Thank you for helping our team.
Sincerely,
Noah

Capital letters matter too

Greetings and closings usually begin with a capital letter.

• Dear Aunt May,
• Love,

This means punctuation and capitalization work together.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting the comma after the greeting
• Forgetting the comma after the closing
• Putting the comma in the wrong place

Look at these:

• Wrong: Dear Liam
• Right: Dear Liam,
• Wrong: Love
• Right: Love,

Quick check

Which one is correct?

• Hi Ruby
• Hi Ruby,

The correct answer is Hi Ruby, because greetings need a comma at the end.

Which one is correct?

• Your cousin
• Your cousin,

The correct answer is Your cousin, because closings need a comma at the end.

Tips to help you remember

• At the beginning, say hello and add a comma.
• At the end, sign off and add a comma.
• Then write your name on the next line.

Summary

Use a comma after the greeting in a letter or email. Use a comma after the closing too. This helps your writing look correct, clear, and polite.

Dialogue is when characters speak in a story. When we write the exact words a person says, we use special punctuation to show it clearly.

Learning dialogue punctuation helps readers know who is talking and what the person said. It makes writing easier to read and understand.

There are two big rules to remember:

• Put quotation marks around the exact words someone says.
• Use a comma to separate the spoken words from the speaker tag.

A speaker tag tells who is speaking. Some speaker tags are said Mia, Dad asked, and my teacher said.

Here is the basic pattern:

"Spoken words," said Sam.

In this sentence, the quotation marks go around the spoken words: "Spoken words," The speaker tag is said Sam.

Main Teaching Points

1. Put quotation marks around exact spoken words.

If a character says something out loud, put quotation marks at the beginning and end of those words.

Example: "I found my book," said Ava.

The exact spoken words are I found my book, so they go inside quotation marks.

2. Use a comma before or after the speaker tag.

When a sentence has dialogue and a speaker tag, a comma helps separate them.

• If the spoken words come first, the comma goes inside the closing quotation marks.
  "We can play now," said Leo.
• If the speaker tag comes first, the comma goes before the opening quotation marks.
  Mia said, "We can play now."

3. Start the spoken words with a capital letter.

The first word inside quotation marks begins with a capital letter.

Example: Dad said, "Please clean your room."

Notice that Please starts with a capital P.

4. End punctuation belongs with the spoken words.

If the speaker is making a statement, use a period or comma correctly with the quotation marks.

• When the speaker tag comes after the dialogue, use a comma inside the quotation marks.
  "I like apples," said Ben.
• When the speaker tag comes before the dialogue, the spoken sentence can end with a period inside the quotation marks.
  Ben said, "I like apples."

5. Only the spoken words go inside quotation marks.

The speaker tag does not go inside the quotation marks.

Correct: "It is sunny," said Mom.

Not correct: "It is sunny, said Mom."

Worked Examples

Example 1: Add quotation marks

Sentence: Emma said I am ready.

Step 1: Find the exact spoken words: I am ready.

Step 2: Put quotation marks around those words.

Step 3: Add a comma after the speaker tag because it comes first.

Answer: Emma said, "I am ready."

Example 2: Dialogue comes first

Sentence: We won the game said Noah.

Step 1: Find the spoken words: We won the game.

Step 2: Put quotation marks around them.

Step 3: Add a comma before the speaker tag, and place it inside the quotation marks.

Answer: "We won the game," said Noah.

Example 3: Fix the mistake

Sentence: "Can you help me?" said Lily.

This sentence has quotation marks around the spoken words. That part is good.

The question mark is part of what Lily says, so it stays inside the quotation marks.

Answer: "Can you help me?" said Lily.

Example 4: Choose what goes inside the quotation marks

Sentence: My teacher said, please sit down.

Only the exact spoken words go inside quotation marks. The spoken words are Please sit down.

Also, the first spoken word should start with a capital letter.

Answer: My teacher said, "Please sit down."

Helpful Tips

• Ask yourself, What words did the person really say? Those words go inside quotation marks.
• Look for the speaker tag, like said Ana or asked Dad.
• Remember: the comma usually helps separate the spoken words from the speaker tag.
• The first word someone says starts with a capital letter.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting quotation marks
  Wrong: Mia said, I like art.
  Right: Mia said, "I like art."
• Putting the speaker tag inside quotation marks
  Wrong: "I like art, said Mia."
  Right: "I like art," said Mia.
• Forgetting the comma
  Wrong: "I like art" said Mia.
  Right: "I like art," said Mia.
• Not capitalizing the first spoken word
  Wrong: Mia said, "i like art."
  Right: Mia said, "I like art."

Let’s Review

When someone speaks in a story, put the exact words inside quotation marks. Use a comma to separate the dialogue from the speaker tag.

If the speaker tag comes first, write it like this: Ella said, "Come here."

If the dialogue comes first, write it like this: "Come here," Ella said.

With practice, dialogue punctuation will become easy. It helps your writing sound clear, neat, and ready to read.

Apostrophes for Possession

Sometimes we want to show that something belongs to someone or something. When we show belonging, we use an apostrophe.

An apostrophe is this mark: '

When we use an apostrophe to show possession, we are telling who owns something.

Examples:

• the dog's bowl = the bowl belongs to the dog
• the girl's backpack = the backpack belongs to the girl
• the teachers' room = the room belongs to the teachers

There are two main kinds of possessives you need to know:

1. Singular possessive = one person, place, or thing owns something
2. Plural possessive = more than one person, place, or thing owns something

1. Singular Possessive: add 's

If one person, animal, or thing owns something, add 's to the word.

Pattern: noun + 's

Examples:

• cat → cat's toy
• boy → boy's hat
• Mom → Mom's car
• class → class's pet

In all of these examples, one owner has something.

2. Plural Possessive: add s'

If more than one person, animal, or thing owns something, and the plural word already ends in s, add only an apostrophe after the s.

Pattern: plural noun ending in s + '

Examples:

• cats → cats' toys
• boys → boys' hats
• teachers → teachers' desks
• students → students' books

In all of these examples, more than one owner has something.

How can you tell which one to use?

• If there is one owner, use 's.
• If there are many owners and the word ends in s, use s'.

Look at the difference:

• the girl's bike = one girl owns the bike
• the girls' bikes = more than one girl owns the bikes

The apostrophe moves because the number of owners changes.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: The toy belongs to the dog.

There is one dog, so we use 's.

Answer: The dog's toy.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: The books belong to the students.

There are many students. The word students already ends in s, so we add only the apostrophe.

Answer: The students' books.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: The nest belongs to the bird.

There is one bird, so add 's.

Answer: The bird's nest.

Worked Example 4

Sentence: The lunch boxes belong to the girls.

There are many girls. The word girls ends in s, so add only an apostrophe at the end.

Answer: The girls' lunch boxes.

A helpful way to think:

• Singular means one.
• Plural means more than one.
• Possession means belongs to.

So before you write the apostrophe, ask yourself:

1. Who owns it?
2. Is there one owner or more than one owner?
3. Does the plural word already end in s?

More examples

• the teacher's chair = one teacher
• the teachers' chairs = many teachers
• the baby's blanket = one baby
• the babies' blankets = many babies
• the lion's tail = one lion
• the lions' tails = many lions

Be careful!

Do not use an apostrophe just because a word ends in s. Use an apostrophe only when you are showing possession.

Examples:

• cats = more than one cat
• cat's = something belongs to one cat
• cats' = something belongs to more than one cat

Look closely at these three different words:

• girl = one girl
• girls = more than one girl
• girl's = something belongs to one girl
• girls' = something belongs to more than one girl

Try these thinking questions:

• one boy owns a kite → boy's kite
• many boys own kites → boys' kites
• one rabbit owns a hutch → rabbit's hutch
• many rabbits own hutches → rabbits' hutches

Quick Tips

• Use 's for one owner.
• Use s' for more than one owner when the plural word ends in s.
• Ask, "Who does it belong to?"
• Then ask, "Is it one owner or many owners?"

Summary

An apostrophe can show possession, or belonging. If one noun owns something, add 's, like the dog's leash. If more than one noun owns something and the plural word ends in s, add only an apostrophe, like the dogs' leashes.