Spot the error: apostrophes for possession

For the following questions, select the part of the sentence with the error, or choose 'no mistake'.

• Okie dokie.

• Wrong answer.

The children's bus was late.

• The

• children's bus

• was late.

• No mistake

My dogs' lead is lost.

• My dogs'

• lead

• is lost.

• No mistake

Answer explanation

If there is only one dog, the apostrophe must come before the 's'.

My dog's lead is lost.

We went to John's house to cheer ourselve's up.

• We went to John's house

• to cheer

• ourselve's up

• No mistake

Answer explanation

You use an apostrophe to show possession (eg John's) but not the plural (eg ourselves).

We went to John's house to cheer ourselves up.

Mr Blyths favourite game is tiddlywinks.

• Mr Blyths

• favourite game

• is tiddlywinks

• No mistake

Answer explanation

Tip: If there is an 's', check if you mean more than one of the person- if not, it is probably an apostrophe of possession.

Mr Blyth's favourite game is tiddlywinks.

All the Form 5 girl's bags were hanging on the pegs in the basement.

• All the Form 5

• girl's bags

• were hanging on the pegs

• in the basement.

• No mistake

Answer explanation

Since there is more than one girl, the apostrophe goes after the plural word 'girls'.

All the Form 5 girls' bags were hanging on the pegs in the basement.

There are lots of monkeys in London Zoo. Unfortunately, the monkeys' cage had been left open.

• the monkeys'

• cage

• had been

• left open.

• No mistake

For the following questions, fill in the _ with the correct punctuation mark

• Yes, Mr Clive.

• Wrong answer.

We went to John_s place.

Mr Blyth_s favourite game is tiddlywinks.