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From Liz

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FREE printable PDF grammar worksheets, quizzes and games for busy teachers, from A to Z. FREE on-line grammar quizzes for EFL&amp;amp;#x2F;ESL learners.

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This is a fantastic site that lets you watch videos and then practice what you've learned. I often recommend this site for students who really want to dig in and learn.

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If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

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10,000 possible mastery points

A brief introduction to grammar

Grammar is the collection of rules and conventions that make languages go. This section is about Standard American English, but there's something here for everyone.

Start learning

A brief introduction to grammar

Grammar is the collection of rules and conventions that make languages go. This section is about Standard American English, but there's something here for everyone.

Start learning

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Grammar | Arts and humanities | Khan Academy

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Grammar is the collection of rules and conventions that makes languages go. This section is about Standard American English, but there's something here for everyone.

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Whenever you want to learn, YouTube can be of help. Here's one channel I found with videos geared toward ESL/ELL/ELA learners.

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"english with jennifer" "english conversation" jenniferesl jennifer lebedev english esl efl learn tesl grammar vocabulary pronunciation lesson "english conve...

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Let me help you communicate more confidently and effectively in English. Please use my PLAYLISTS. 👉 http://englishwithjennifer.com/students/yt-videos/ SUBSCRIBE! NEW! Visit my Shopify store!🌟 https://bb07c9.myshopify.com/ 🌟Amazing perks for channel members!👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEKXieT70wByfvZwP1CxdPQ/join Join the live chat at the monthly livestream, receive a follow-up task on the community tab & more.

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You can also use apps on your phone to make a habit of studying grammar. This is one from a publisher I have long known and trusted.

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The only grammar app an intermediate learner of English will ever need, downloaded over one million times.

This Starter Pack includes six grammar units (Present and Past tenses) with clear explanations and interactive exercises, a Glossary of grammar words, and a Study Guide to help you decide which grammar units you need to study.

WORLD'S BEST-SELLER
Raymond Murphy's English Grammar in Use is the world's best-selling grammar book for intermediate learners of English. After downloading the Starter Pack you can buy all 145 grammar units or just the units you need. You can use the app with or without the book or eBook.

LISTEN TO EXAMPLES
Audio recordings of the example sentences help you to improve your listening skills, while improving your grammar.

AUTOMATIC MARKING
Answers to the grammar activities show the correct answer when you make a mistake. Perfect for self-study.

USER REVIEWS
***** Perfect!
***** This is the best app on English grammar... Thank you Cambridge.
***** The book is great but this app is even greater because you can do exercises and check answers a lot faster.

Cambridge University Press is a world-leading publisher of English language learning materials. Expert authors write all of the content in our apps.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
ptsupport@cambridge.org

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Cambridge Learning (Cambridge University Press)

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English Grammar in Use - Android Apps on Google Play

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The only grammar app an intermediate learner of English will ever need, downloaded over one million times. This Starter Pack includes six grammar units (Present and Past tenses) with clear explanations and interactive exercises, a Glossary of grammar words, and a Study Guide to help you decide which grammar units you need to study.

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This site is newer to me but one that has some useful looking information.

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When to Use Apostrophes

Apostrophes are used:

To show possession (e.g., one dog's kennel , two dogs' kennel )

In time expressions (e.g., a day's pay , two weeks' holiday )

In contractions (e.g., can't , isn't , don't )

Apostrophes are not used:

To show plurals (e.g., three cat's , two video's )

Randomly before the letter s (e.g., He like's pies. )

Rules for Using Apostrophes
This page covers the rules for using apostrophes. It also has six useful resources for learning about apostrophes, including two videos, an interactive widget, an infographic, a slide show, and links to some exercises.
Using Apostrophes for Possession
Apostrophes are used to show possession. For example:

The dog's kennel

The dogs' kennel

Does the apostrophe go before or after the s?

The big question is whether to put the apostrophe before thes or after the s. The basic rule is this:

The apostrophe goes before the s for a singular possessor (e.g., one dog's kennel) and after the s when it's more than one possessor (e.g., two dogs' kennel).

Be aware thatdog and dogs are the possessors. The position of the apostrophe has nothing to do with kennel. That word can be singular or plural. It makes no difference whatsoever to where the apostrophe goes. For example:

One dog's dinner

One dog's dinners

Two dogs' dinner

Two dogs' dinners

The apostrophe-placement ruling seems quite straightforward, but there are exceptions.

An exception to the rule: plural words that don't end s

The most notable exception is when the plural doesn't end ins (e.g., children, women, people, men). These words have the apostrophe before the s (even though they're plural). For example:

children's toys

women's hat
(Here's another issue. It's not always about possession. This means a hat for women. Similarly, Picasso's painting is a painting by Picasso. He doesn't own it. Sometimes, it's about "possession" in the loosest terms.)
people's poet

men's sizes

Another exception to the rule: singular words that end s

Another quirk is that singular nouns endings (e.g., Wales, Moses, John Wells) form their possessive forms either by adding ' (just an apostrophe) or 's depending on how you (personally) say the possessive form. For example:

John Wells' report
John Wells report as opposed to John Wellsiz report.)
John Wells's report
(This is also correct. It is used by those who would say John Wellsiz report.)
Be aware that some style guides state you can't use the 's version for religious characters. So, if you're talking about the likes of Jesus or Moses, you might want to opt for the Jesus' and Moses' versions as opposed to Jesus's and Moses's.

Using Apostrophes Incorrectly with Plurals
Don't add an apostrophe to a word just because the word ends with the letter s. This is a common mistake, and it is a grammatical howler. (In other words, your readers will think you're a bit dim if you keep doing it.)

This mistake is most commonly seen when peopleform the plurals of nouns, but it happens with verbs too; e.g., He eat's pies.

Examples:

I like pig's. Dog's look up to us. Cat's look down on us. Pig's treat us as equal's.

I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as
equals.

A spoken word is not a sparrow. Once it fly's out, you cannot catch it.
(This mistake is sometimes made with verbs too. This should be flies.)
Tomato's and oregano make it Italian; wine and tarragon make it French; garlic makes it good.
(This mistake is particularly common when forming the plural of a noun which ends in a vowel (e.g., video's , banana's ). It should be tomatoes in this example.)
Read more on apostrophes used incorrectly with plurals
Using Apostrophes in Time Expressions
Apostrophes can be used in time expressions (also called temporal expressions) like a day's pay and two weeks' notice.

The big question with these is where to put the apostrophe. The ruling is quite simple: the apostrophe goes before thes for a single unit of time (e.g., one day's pay) and after the s when it's more than one (e.g., two days' pay).

Examples:

I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun. (Thomas Edison, 1847-1931)

It's not worth it for just two minutes' pleasure.

It's not always about time. For example:

I live a stone's throw away.

Don't think you have to use an apostrophe every time you write seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, etc. Only use an apostrophe where the word of could have been used.

a year's insurance
of insurance)
two weeks' holiday
(two weeks of holiday)
Read more on apostrophes used in time expressions
Using Apostrophes to Replace Letters
An apostrophe can be used to replace a letter or letters (e.g., isn't, can't). The new word formed is called a contraction. Contractions are not usually used in formal correspondence.

When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half. (Gracie Allen, 1906-1964)

Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. (Fran Lebowitz)

Contractions are most commonly used in informal writing to reflect how we speak. These two contractions are notorious grammar villains: it's and you're.

Read more on apostrophes replacing letters
Using Apostrophes in Unusual Plurals
The first thing to say about this topic is that apostrophes are not normally used to show plurals, and lots of your readers will hate it if you use an apostrophe for this purpose. However, that said, there are times when it helps to use an apostrophe to show a plural. For example:

There are two i's in skiing.

You use too many but's in your writing.

Of course, there are other ways of writing these. For example:

There are two Is in skiing.

You use too many "but"s in your writing.

The bottom line is apostrophes can be used in this way and for good reason - the apostrophe version is usually neater and clearer. However, be aware that you run the risk of annoying a high proportion of your readers if you do it.

Read more on apostrophes used to show unusual plurals

More Resources to Help with Apostrophes

(Resource 1) A Summarizing Video
Here is a video summarizing the use of apostrophes:

(Resource 2) An Interactive Widget to Help with Possessive Apostrophes
Have a play with this interactive widget to learn about possessive apostrophes. How does it work? Well, you can click on anything that's green or has a green border. So, start clicking and see what happens. Enjoy.

Apostrophes (Teaching Widget)

Getting Ready...

Possessor

Possessee

Singular

Getting ready...

Getting ready...

Plural

Getting ready...

Singular ending s

Getting ready...

Plural not ending s

Getting ready...

Getting ready...

Did you like this widget? Try our order of adjectives one.
(Resource 3) Possessive Apostrophes in Less Than a Minute
Here is a very short video summarizing how to use possessive apostrophes:

(Resource 4) An Infographic Explaining the History
This infographic explains the history behind the possessive apostrophe. It really helps!

Read more on apostrophes to show possession.
(This page covers the possessive form of compound nouns and joint ownership.)
(Resource 5) A Slide Show Explaining Apostrophes
This 11-slide presentation covers the main points about apostrophes.
Slider

(Resource 6) Tests!
Here are some interactive tests on apostrophes:.

See Also
Apostrophes for possession Apostrophe placement rules Apostrophe after s Apostrophe after z Apostrophe before s Apostrophes for awkward plurals Apostrophes after acronyms and abbreviations Apostrophes in contractions Apostrophes in expressions like 2 years' pay and a day's notice Apostrophes used incorrectly for plurals Apostrophe exercises Apostrophes in names Apostrophe misuse Apostrophes in contractions Brackets Colons Commas Dashes Hyphens Semicolons Quotation Marks

Download Grammarly's app to help with eliminating grammar errors and finding the right words.

Technical Help
Download a Free Grammar Checker

(The Grammarly app works with webmail, social media, and texting apps as well as online forms and Microsoft Office documents like Word.)
Written by

Self Help: Buy Our Book
"Smashing Grammar" (2019)
the founder of Grammar Monster, "Smashing Grammar" includes a glossary of grammar essentials (from apostrophes to zeugma) and a chapter on easily confused words (from affect/effect to whether/if). Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to real-life, entertaining examples. All entries conclude with a section highlighting why the grammar point is relevant for a writer and top-level bullet points summarizing the entry. [ More]
Vocational rather than academic, "Grammar for Grown-ups" is packed with real-life examples and keeps you engaged with a wealth of great quotations from Homer the Greek to Homer the Simpson. Straight talking and methodical, "Grammar for Grown-ups" (2011)
Craig Shrives draws on his years compiling Grammar Monster and as an army officer to present a comprehensive but light-hearted and easily digestible grammar reference guide. [ More]

Everything on Grammar Monster is free.

More free grammar help...
...or join our group and ask a grammar question.

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Apostrophes are used to show possession (e.g., dog's dinner), in time expressions (e.g., 2 years' pay), in contractions (e.g., isn't) and, on rare occasions, to show plurals (Z's and 2's). This lesson includes a video showing the correct use of apostrophes, a test and a learning widget.

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Purdue Owl has many writing and grammar resources. It's a trusted site that educators often use.

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This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.

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The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers-no matter what their skill level-with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives. The Purdue OWL offers global support through online reference materials and services.

A Message From the Assistant Director of Content Development

The Purdue OWL® is committed to supporting students, instructors, and writers by offering a wide range of resources that are developed and revised with them in mind. To do this, the OWL team is always exploring possibilties for a better design, allowing accessibility and user experience to guide our process. As the OWL undergoes some changes, we welcome your feedback and suggestions by email at any time.

Please don't hesitate to contact us via our contact page if you have any questions or comments.

All the best,

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Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab

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This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice. Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

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To look up a quick question or research a point of grammar, you can't go wrong with Grammar Girl.

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Kansas City Star, "Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty Helps America Speak and Write Better" September, 2007

"Helpful. Smart. Funny. Fans find Grammar Girl to be all those things."

Chicago Tribune, Don't Get Carried Away on National Grammar Day, February 2008

"A more level-headed grammatical authority is Mignon Fogarty -- known to her Web visitors and podcast listeners as Grammar Girl."

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Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing and feed your love of the English language.