Apostrophes Worksheet | PDF - Free Printable

Here’s the completed Apostrophes Worksheet with corrections and explanations for each sentence. I’ve marked missing apostrophes and labeled each as P (possession) or O (omission) as instructed.

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✔ Corrected Answers with Explanations:

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1. Where’s he going now?
→ O (omission)
*Explanation:* “Where’s” = “Where is”. The apostrophe replaces the missing letter “i” in “is”.

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2. John borrowed Matthew’s pencil.
→ P (possession)
*Explanation:* The pencil belongs to Matthew → add apostrophe + s to show possession.

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3. How come Bill left Dave’s party so early?
→ P (possession)
*Explanation:* The party belongs to Dave → “Dave’s” shows possession.

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4. We’ve been having lots of fun in English lessons.
→ O (omission)
*Explanation:* “We’ve” = “We have”. Apostrophe replaces the missing “h” in “have”.

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5. I’ve always wanted to be able to run fast.
→ O (omission)
*Explanation:* “I’ve” = “I have”. Apostrophe replaces the missing “h” in “have”.

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6. The teacher’s desk is the biggest.
→ P (possession)
*Explanation:* The desk belongs to one teacher → singular possessive: “teacher’s”.

*(Note: If it were multiple teachers, it would be “teachers’”, but context implies one teacher.)*

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7. The players’ bats are looking a little worn (more than one player).
→ P (possession)
*Explanation:* Since there’s more than one player, plural possessive → “players’” (apostrophe after the s).

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8. Ben’s taking his son’s helmet to the match for him.
→ O (for “Ben’s”) and P (for “son’s”)
*Explanation:*
- “Ben’s” = “Ben is” → omission (O)
- “son’s” = belonging to the son → possession (P)
*Note: You may need to mark both — if only one label per sentence is allowed, prioritize the first one. But technically, two apostrophes here serve different functions.*

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9. It was somebody else’s idea to change the plans, not mine.
→ P (possession)
*Explanation:* The idea belongs to “somebody else” → “else’s” shows possession.

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10. Why’s the dog eating from the cat’s dish?
→ O (for “Why’s”) and P (for “cat’s”)
*Explanation:*
- “Why’s” = “Why is” → omission (O)
- “cat’s” = belonging to the cat → possession (P)
*Again, two apostrophes — if only one label allowed, mark the first one (O).*

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11. Who’s he trying to fool? It’s not me!
→ O (for “Who’s”) and O (for “It’s”)
*Explanation:*
- “Who’s” = “Who is” → omission (O)
- “It’s” = “It is” → omission (O)
*Both are contractions.*

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12. The teacher’s desk is bigger than the students’ desks (more than one student).
→ P (for both)
*Explanation:*
- “teacher’s” → singular possessive (one teacher)
- “students’” → plural possessive (more than one student)
*Both show possession.*

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13. The teacher’s desk is bigger than the student’s desk (only one student).
→ P (for both)
*Explanation:* Both refer to single owners → “teacher’s” and “student’s” are singular possessives.

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14. My dog’s been so sick lately and I’m wondering if he’s ever going to get better.
→ O (for “dog’s”, “I’m”, “he’s”)
*Explanation:*
- “dog’s” = “dog has” → omission (O)
- “I’m” = “I am” → omission (O)
- “he’s” = “he is” → omission (O)
*All are contractions.*

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15. I’d like to play with Harry’s dog but he’s too aggressive!
→ O (for “I’d”, “he’s”) and P (for “Harry’s”)
*Explanation:*
- “I’d” = “I would” → omission (O)
- “Harry’s” = belonging to Harry → possession (P)
- “he’s” = “he is” → omission (O)
*Multiple functions — if forced to choose one, pick the first (O for “I’d”).*

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## 📝 Summary Table:

| # | Sentence (Corrected) | Label(s) |
|---|----------------------|----------|
| 1 | Where’s he going now? | O |
| 2 | John borrowed Matthew’s pencil. | P |
| 3 | How come Bill left Dave’s party so early? | P |
| 4 | We’ve been having lots of fun... | O |
| 5 | I’ve always wanted... | O |
| 6 | The teacher’s desk... | P |
| 7 | The players’ bats... | P |
| 8 | Ben’s taking his son’s helmet... | O & P |
| 9 | ...somebody else’s idea... | P |
| 10 | Why’s the dog... cat’s dish? | O & P |
| 11 | Who’s he trying to fool? It’s not me! | O & O |
| 12 | ...teacher’s desk... students’ desks | P & P |
| 13 | ...teacher’s desk... student’s desk | P & P |
| 14 | My dog’s been... I’m wondering... he’s... | O & O & O |
| 15 | I’d like... Harry’s dog... he’s... | O & P & O |

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## 💡 Tips for Students:
- Possession (P): Use when something belongs to someone/something → *John’s book, the dog’s tail*.
- Omission (O): Use when letters are left out in contractions → *don’t = do not, she’s = she is*.
- Plural vs. Possessive: Plural nouns ending in ‘s’ take an apostrophe *after* the s for possession → *boys’ toys*. Singular nouns add ’s → *boy’s toy*.

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✔ Extension Task Suggestion (for back of sheet):

Create 5 original sentences:
1. A contraction: *She’s going to the store.* → O
2. Singular possession: *The girl’s backpack is blue.* → P
3. Plural possession: *The cats’ bowls are empty.* → P
4. Contraction + possession: *It’s James’s turn.* → O & P
5. Double omission: *They’re not coming, we’re staying.* → O & O

Then trade with a partner to check!

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Let me know if you want a printable version or answer key formatted for classroom use!