Possessive Apostrophes: gentoo penguin
The Grammar Bit!
Read the three scintillating sentences opposite. Notice how the words in bold feature apostrophes. They are showing that something belongs to someone or something. For example, the life belongs to the lobster krill – “the lobster krill’s life” and the streamlined bodies belong to the gentoo penguins – “the gentoo penguins’ streamlined bodies.”
With a talk partner, discuss the position of the apostrophe. Does it always remain the same? What differences are there? Does it change the meaning?
Rule
- For a singular noun, add ‘s.
- For a plural noun ending in -s, just add an apostrophe.
(Exceptions to this include pluralised nouns that don’t end in -s. e.g. men’s, children’s and women’s.)
Scintillating Sentences
1) The gentoo penguin’s beak is a red-orange colour.
2) The lobster krill’s life was about to end!
3) The gentoo penguins’ streamlined bodies were slicing through the water.
4) The chicks’ mouths were wide open.
Did you know?
An adult gentoo penguin makes as many as 450 dives a day foraging for food.