Apostrophes: a guide for Year 6
An apostrophe does one of two jobs: it shows that letters are missing, or it shows that something belongs to someone. Almost every apostrophe mistake comes from mixing those jobs up, or from adding apostrophes to plurals that don't need one.
The two jobs of an apostrophe
Before any rule, children need the big idea: an apostrophe is used either for contraction (letters missed out) or for possession (belonging). It is never used just because a word ends in s. If a child can't name which of the two jobs an apostrophe is doing, it probably shouldn't be there.
Apostrophes for contraction
When two words are squashed together, the apostrophe marks the exact place where letters were removed. That isn't always where the two words join.
- do not → don'tThe o of not is missing.
- I will → I'llwi is missing.
- it is → it'sThe i of is is missing.
- did not → did'ntThe apostrophe goes where the o was: didn't.
Won't (will not) and shan't (shall not) are irregular, because the first word changes too, so teach them separately. Contractions are fine in dialogue and informal writing but are usually avoided in formal writing, which links to the SATs questions on formality.
Apostrophes for possession
The rule depends on whether the owner is singular or plural, so children need to decide that first.
| Owner | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One owner | Add 's | the girl's bag, the bus's wheels, James's coat |
| Plural owners ending in s | Add ' only | the girls' bags, the teachers' room |
| Plural owners not ending in s | Add 's | the children's toys, the men's coats, the people's choice |
The most reliable method is to write the owner word in full first, then add the apostrophe. For the toys belonging to the children, write children, then add 's. Children who try to work out the apostrophe and the plural at the same time are the ones who write childrens'.
- the girl's bagOne girl.
- the girls' bagsMore than one girl.
- the children's toyschildren is already plural, so add 's.
its and it's
This pair catches out adults as well as children. It's is always a contraction: it is or it has. Its, with no apostrophe, means “belonging to it”.
- It's raining again.It is raining again.
- The dog wagged its tail.The tail belongs to it: no apostrophe.
- The dog wagged it's tail.The dog wagged it is tail makes no sense.
The test is to read the sentence with it is or it has in its place. If it works, use it's. If not, use its. It also helps to point out that its belongs with his, hers and theirs, none of which has an apostrophe.
Plurals don't need apostrophes
The “greengrocer's apostrophe” (apple's for sale, pizza's) is one of the most common errors in children's writing. A plural noun just means more than one; nothing is missing and nothing belongs. Year 6 pupils should be able to explain why The dogs barked has no apostrophe.
How apostrophes are tested in the SATs
- Insert the apostrophe in the correct place in a word or sentence.
- Explain why the apostrophe is used: contraction or possession.
- Write the contracted form of two words, or expand a contraction.
- Tick the correct sentence, often choosing between its and it's, or between singular and plural possession.
- Rewrite a phrase using an apostrophe, such as the coats belonging to the men.
Common mistakes
- Putting an apostrophe on any word ending in s, including plurals and verbs (she walk's).
- Placing the contraction apostrophe where the words join rather than where letters are missing.
- Writing childrens' or mens' for irregular plurals.
- Adding apostrophes to possessive pronouns: your's, their's, it's for its.
- Confusing who's (who is) with whose (belonging to whom).
Teaching ideas
Which job?
Give pupils a paragraph full of apostrophes, some right and some wrong. For each one they write C for contraction, P for possession, or X if it shouldn't be there. Correcting the Xs is often the most useful part.
Owner first
Give phrases like the bikes belonging to the boys and the hat belonging to Charles. Children write the owner word, decide if it's singular or plural, then add the apostrophe. The routine is slow at first but becomes automatic.
Shop sign detectives
Collect photos of real signs with apostrophe errors (there are plenty online). Pupils explain what's wrong and write the corrected version. It shows that the rule matters outside school, and children enjoy catching adults out.
The it-is test
Every time its or it's appears in children's writing, ask them to read the sentence aloud with it is. Doing this consistently for a few weeks fixes the habit better than any single lesson.
Try it: five quick questions
SATs-style questions to use as a starter or a quick check. Tap to see each answer.
Write the contraction of would not.
Show answer
wouldn't
Add the apostrophe: the childrens coats
Show answer
the children's coats
its or it's? The cat licked ___ paw.
Show answer
its: the paw belongs to the cat.
Rewrite with an apostrophe: the lockers belonging to the girls
Show answer
the girls' lockers
Why is there an apostrophe in The teacher's desk was tidy?
Show answer
To show possession: the desk belongs to the teacher.
Free worksheets for this topic
Printable A4 PDFs with answers. Free to use in class or at home.
