Question

skill check

apostrophes are used for two main purposes. the first is to show possession or ownership, e.g. daves chip shop, whilst the second is to show where letters have been removed from a word or words, e.g. im (i am) not listening.

questions

proofread this extract and correct the five apostrophe-related errors.

1. sock it to your pocket! if you want your bicycle to be italian-crafted, gold-painted and crystal-festooned, then you can fork out an eye-watering $43,000. for the rest of us, though, getting our hands on a speed machine is incredibly affordable. indeed, a decent road or mountain bike will set you back no more than $100 and last for years, with an obligatory helmet another $20 on top. legally, you dont have to wear a helmet of course, but if youre anything like me youre probably quite attached to your head. for the sake of twenty quid just use it - dont lose it.

1. dash for cash. even better than the low costs of cycling are the benefits to be had from it. whod be a driver? record pump prices and speed cameras; bus lanes and uninsured drivers; parking fees and traffic wardens; the list goes on and on. well, once youve got the bike and helmet you dont need to worry. every minute in the saddle is saving you cash, time and hassle!

Explanation:

Identify errors in Extract 1

Using the Possessive Apostrophes and Omissive Apostrophes knowledge points:

• "...and last for years', with an obligatory..."
• "years" is a simple plural noun here, not showing possession. The apostrophe after "years" is incorrect. It should be "years".
• "...if you're anything like me youre probably..."
• "youre" is a contraction of "you are". It requires an apostrophe to show omitted letters. It should be "you're".

Identify errors in Extract 2

Using the Possessive Apostrophes and Omissive Apostrophes knowledge points:

• "Even better than the low costs' of cycling..."
• "costs" is a simple plural noun, not showing possession. The apostrophe after "costs" is incorrect. It should be "costs".
• "Well, once youve got the bike..."
• "youve" is a contraction of "you have". It requires an apostrophe to show omitted letters. It should be "you've".
• "...you dont need to worry."
• "dont" is a contraction of "do not". It requires an apostrophe to show omitted letters. It should be "don't".

Summary of the five corrections

• "years'" should be corrected to "years" (unnecessary possessive apostrophe on a plural noun).
• "youre" should be corrected to "you're" (missing contraction apostrophe).
• "costs'" should be corrected to "costs" (unnecessary possessive apostrophe on a plural noun).
• "youve" should be corrected to "you've" (missing contraction apostrophe).
• "dont" should be corrected to "don't" (missing contraction apostrophe).

Answer:

Question 1

• years' should be corrected to years
• youre should be corrected to you're

Question 2

• costs' should be corrected to costs
• youve should be corrected to you've
• dont should be corrected to don't