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Academy11+

11+ English · Topic explained

Apostrophes

Why does "the dog's bone" need an apostrophe, but "the dogs barked" doesn't?

The big idea

An apostrophe shows missing letters, or that something belongs to someone.

Picture it

In a contraction, the apostrophe sits where the letters were taken out, like a plaster over a gap.

Key words

contraction
Two words shortened into one: can't, it's, we'll.
possession
Belonging: Sam's hat, the girls' coats.
plural
More than one. A plain plural has NO apostrophe: apples, dogs.

Worked examples

  1. 1Warm-up

    I can't swim yet.

    • can't is short for cannot.
    • The apostrophe shows where letters are missing.
  2. 211+ standard

    the girl's coat → the girls' coats

    • One owner: apostrophe, then s.
    • A plural owner ending in s: just the apostrophe after the s.
  3. 311+ standard

    the children's toys the men's race

    • Plurals that don't end in s (children, men, people) add 's.
  4. 411+ standard

    It's raining, so the cat is licking its paws.

    • it's = it is (or it has).
    • its = belonging to it, with no apostrophe (like his and hers).

The common mistake

The mistake

"Apple's for sale"

Instead

"Apples for sale"

Why: Plurals just add s. Apostrophes are only for missing letters or belonging.

Where it comes up in the 11+

Its and it's, plural owners, and apostrophes that shouldn't be there come up again and again in SPaG proofreading.

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains apostrophes step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable

Apostrophes worksheet

Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.

Download the worksheet (PDF)

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Quick quiz

Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.

  1. 1. Which is correct?

    • The cat chased it's tail.
    • The cat chased its tail.
    Show the answer

    The cat chased its tail.

    The tail belongs to it; it's would mean "it is".

  2. 2. Three boys each own a bike. Which is correct?

    • the boy's bikes
    • the boys' bikes
    • the boys bike's
    Show the answer

    the boys' bikes

    A plural owner ending in s takes the apostrophe after the s.

  3. 3. What is the contraction of "they are"?

    • their
    • there
    • they're
    • theyr'e
    Show the answer

    they're

    The apostrophe replaces the missing a.