Apostrophes for Possession Worksheet
Learning Objective: Pupils can use apostrophes correctly to show possession
About this resource
This KS2 worksheet provides targeted practice for Year 3 pupils learning to use apostrophes correctly to show possession, aligning with the UK National Curriculum's grammar objectives. Teachers can utilise this resource for independent work, homework, or as a quick assessment tool to gauge understanding of this key English language concept.
Foundation Task
Add the apostrophe in the correct place:
- The dogs bone → The dog's bone
- The girls bag → ?
- The teachers desk → ?
- The cats whiskers → ?
- Sams football → ?
Choose the correct sentence: a) The boy's played football. / The boys played football. b) The rabbit's ears are long. / The rabbits ears are long.
Core Task
Singular or Plural Possession? Rewrite using an apostrophe:
- The tail of the cat → The cat's tail
- The toys of the children → The children's toys
- The car of my dad → ?
- The classroom of the teachers → ?
- The wings of the butterfly → ?
Write 5 sentences of your own using possessive apostrophes. Include at least 2 plural possessives.
Challenge Task
Spot the errors — rewrite correctly:
- The dog's are playing in the park. (dogs — no apostrophe needed)
- Its a lovely day. (It's — contraction)
- The childrens' coats are on the floor. (children's)
- James' book is on the table. (James's — singular)
Explain the difference between:
- its / it's
- the dog's bone / the dogs' bones
- the children's toys / the child's toy
Differentiation
SEN Support
Visual examples with colour coding. Fewer questions. Paired practice.
EAL Support
Colour-coded apostrophe rules. Visual examples. Key vocabulary: apostrophe, possession, singular, plural.
Gifted & Talented
Complete Challenge with full explanations. Find and correct apostrophe errors in a longer text passage.
Key Vocabulary
Assessment Criteria
- Can add apostrophes for singular possession
- Can distinguish possession from plurals
- Can use plural possessive apostrophes