GCSE English Language and Functional Skills English in 10 Weeks
Chapter 3

Apostrophes & Speech Punctuation

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IN THIS LESSON

English Language Essentials

Apostrophes and speech punctuation are common trouble spots in writing. Understanding them will help you write clearly and accurately.

Further Details

Apostrophes of Possession

Contractions combine two words by replacing missing letters with an apostrophe. They make writing sound more natural and conversational.

  • You are → You're

  • We will → We'll

  • Let us → Let's

In formal writing, using the full form instead of contractions may be more appropriate.

Apostrophes of Possession

Apostrophes indicate ownership or belonging.

  • The guitar’s strings (strings of one guitar)

  • Ella’s microphone (microphone belonging to Ella)

  • The pianist’s melody

For plural words ending in ‘s’, place the apostrophe after the ‘s’:

  • The drummers’ performance (performance by multiple drummers)

For names ending in ‘s’, both of these are correct:

  • James’ album

  • James’s album

Speech Punctuation

Use quotation marks to show when someone is speaking.

Key Rules:

  • Start speech with a capital letter.

  • Use a punctuation mark before closing the quotation marks.

  • If including who is speaking, use a comma before the closing quotation mark.

  • If not specifying a speaker, use a full stop inside the quotation marks.

Examples:

  • “Turn up the volume,” said the DJ.

  • “This song always gives me chills!” exclaimed Mia.

  • “We need to rehearse before the gig.”


English Language Activity

Rewrite these contractions:

  • Should not → ____

  • They have → ____

  1. Rewrite these sentences using contractions and correct punctuation:

    • a) “I do not want to perform a solo,” said the bassist.

    • b) “The speakers are not working,” said the sound engineer. “They are still being set up,” replied the stage manager.

Bonus Activity

Write a short dialogue between two musicians using correct speech punctuation.





Knowledge Check/Review

What do apostrophes indicate in contractions?

  • How do apostrophes show possession?

  • What are two key rules for using quotation marks?


Bonus Activity

Find an article or interview and identify the apostrophes and speech marks. Pay attention to how they are used in different contexts. If speech marks are missing, add them.

Try this article about St Patrick’s Day (or choose another from the same website). 

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/general-english/magazine-zone/saint-patricks-day

Or find a transcript from an interview here: Transcript Library link


Answers

  1. Rewrite these contractions:

    • Should not → Shouldn’t

    • They have → They’ve

  2. Rewrite these sentences using contractions and correct punctuation:

    • a) “I don’t want to perform a solo,” said the bassist.

    • b) “The speakers aren’t working,” said the sound engineer. “They’re still being set up,” replied the stage manager.

  3. Knowledge Check/Review Answers:

    • Apostrophes in contractions: They show where letters have been omitted when combining words.

    • Apostrophes of possession: They indicate that something belongs to someone or something else.

Quotation marks rules: Start speech with a capital letter and use a punctuation mark before closing the quotation marks.