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Punctuation Essentials: Commas and Apostrophes

Goal Use commas and apostrophes correctly.

COMMAS

In lists: "I need a pen, a ruler, a calculator and a USB."
After an opening word or phrase: "However, the results were different."

"After lunch, we went to the library."

Before a joining word that links two full sentences:

"It was cold, but we went swimming anyway."

APOSTROPHES -- only two jobs

Missing letters (contractions): do not -> don't, it is -> it's, they are -> they're
Ownership (possession):

one owner: the dog's bowl, Sam's phone
plural owner ending in s: the students' books, the teachers' lounge

APOSTROPHES ARE NEVER FOR PLURALS

Wrong: "Apple's for sale" - Right: "Apples for sale"

IT'S vs ITS

it's = it is / it has: "It's raining."
its = belongs to it: "The school changed its uniform."

Test: can you say "it is"? If yes, use it's.

PRACTICE

Correct the sentences:

The cat licked it's paw.
Both team's coaches were angry.
We bought chips drinks and lollies.

Show answers

its paw 2. Both teams' coaches 3. chips, drinks and lollies

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