An apostrophe followed by s shows that something belongs to someone: the dog’s bone, Mia’s hat. Year 2 explorers use it for one owner and learn not to put apostrophes in ordinary plurals.
What your child will learn
- Use ’s to show that something belongs to one person or animal
- Tell the difference between a plural (dogs) and belonging (dog’s)
- Know the difference between apostrophes for belonging and for missing letters
Belonging, not more than one
The most common mistake is adding an apostrophe to plurals: “apple’s for sale”. If nothing belongs to the apple, there’s no apostrophe — just apples.
Ask “Does something belong to it?” If yes, add ’s: the cat’s whiskers. If it just means more than one, add s alone: three cats.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Which shows that the ball belongs to Tom?
- Toms’ ball
- Tom’s ball
- Tom ball’s
- Toms ball
Show answer
Answer: Tom’s ball. Tom’s ball — the ball belongs to Tom.
2. Which is correct?
- Dad’s car’s is blue.
- Dads car is blue.
- Dad’s car is blue.
- Dads’ car is blue.
Show answer
Answer: Dad’s car is blue.. The car belongs to Dad: Dad’s car.
3. Where does the apostrophe go? “the girls coat” (one girl)
- coat’s
- gir’ls
- girls’
- girl’s
Show answer
Answer: girl’s. The coat belongs to one girl: the girl’s coat.
Tips for grown-ups
- Label family belongings: Dad’s mug, Nora’s shoes.
- Spot wrong apostrophes on signs — a fun detective game!