Apostrophe Worksheets - Possessive Apostrophes | English Worksheets - Free Printable

You're looking at a worksheet titled “Apostrophes”, and the task is to add the missing possessive apostrophes.

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🔍 What are possessive apostrophes?

Possessive apostrophes show ownership or possession — that something belongs to someone or something.

- For singular nouns (one person/thing): add ’s
→ *Tom’s shoes* = the shoes belong to Tom

- For plural nouns ending in “s”: add just ’
→ *The cats’ collar* = the collar belongs to multiple cats
*(But note: if it’s a plural noun that doesn’t end in “s”, like “children”, you still add ’s → children’s)*

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Let’s go through each sentence and fix it:

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✔ Corrected Sentences with Explanations:

1. Tom’s new shoes were red and shiny.
→ “Tom” is singular → add ’s

2. Mary liked Amy’s cute puppy.
→ “Amy” is singular → add ’s

3. We went to John’s house on the weekend.
→ “John” is singular → add ’s

4. Her new friends’ house was massive.
→ “friends” is plural → add ’ (not ’s)
→ The house belongs to multiple friends → *friends’*

5. Jane’s dad was angry at the drawing on the wall.
→ “Jane” is singular → add ’s
*(Note: The original says “Janes” — this is likely a typo; should be “Jane’s”)*

6. Jerry knew his dad’s new car was expensive.
→ “dad” is singular → add ’s

7. The little monkey’s tail got caught in a tree.
→ “monkey” is singular → add ’s
*(Even though “little monkeys” might imply plural, here it’s “the little monkey’s tail” — one monkey’s tail)*

8. The cat’s collar was bright pink.
→ “cat” is singular → add ’s
*(If it were multiple cats sharing one collar, it would be “cats’”, but context suggests one cat → “cat’s”)*

9. Mary’s health was getting worse by the day.
→ “Mary” is singular → add ’s

10. The tiger’s family left him.
→ “tiger” is singular → add ’s
*(Unless it’s a group of tigers — then it would be “tigers’ family” — but context implies one tiger’s family)*

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📝 Final Answer (Corrected Worksheet):

1. Tom’s new shoes were red and shiny.
2. Mary liked Amy’s cute puppy.
3. We went to John’s house on the weekend.
4. Her new friends’ house was massive.
5. Jane’s dad was angry at the drawing on the wall.
6. Jerry knew his dad’s new car was expensive.
7. The little monkey’s tail got caught in a tree.
8. The cat’s collar was bright pink.
9. Mary’s health was getting worse by the day.
10. The tiger’s family left him.

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💡 Tip for Students:

Ask yourself: “Who does this belong to?”
→ If it’s one person/thing → ’s
→ If it’s more than one person/thing → ’ (if ends in “s”)

Example:
- *The dog’s bone* → one dog owns the bone
- *The dogs’ bones* → multiple dogs own multiple bones

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✔ You’ve now mastered possessive apostrophes! Keep practicing — it’s a key grammar skill.