The apostrophe can be used to show ownership by adding ‘s to a noun to make a possessive noun.
Sometimes a person owns the object. The person’s name is a proper noun. Add ‘s to the proper noun.
Bob owns a car. It is Bob’s car.
Mary has a cat. The cat is Mary’s cat.
Janet has a new baby sister. The baby is Janet’s sister.
America celebrates its birthday on July 4. July 4 is America’s birthday.
Sometimes a common noun owns something. In the sentence below, the word boy is a common noun. We don’t know the boy’s name, but boy can still be a possessive noun if the boy owns something.
This book belongs to that boy. It is the boy’s book.
Here are more examples of a possessive common noun:
The squirrel’s nest is in our tree.
The box’s edges are bent.
The knife’s blade is dull.
Anytime you want to show ownership of an object, add ‘s to the common noun or proper noun to make it a possessive noun.
▶Now you try it. Write the correct possessive noun into the blank. Mom bought a new car. I like ___new car. Did you add ‘s to Mom? Good for you!