THE POSSESSIVE NOUNS

THE POSSESSIVE NOUNS

What is a possessive noun?

A possessive noun is a noun that names who or what owns or has possession of something.

In most cases, for singular nouns to show that possession, we add an apostrophe + s. For plural nouns we simply add an apostrophe except for those few plural nouns that do not end in s.

Possessive Nouns Examples:

The car’s front seat

Bartkowski’s book

Babies’ shoes

Lemons’ acidity

Owls’ eyes

Forming Possessive Nouns

When creating the possessive form of nouns, there are 5 simple rules as follows:

Rule 1: Making singular nouns possessive

If a singular noun, add ‘s.

Example:

The girl’s hands were chapped by the cold.

The cat’s toy was missing.

Even if the singular noun is a proper noun (i.e. a name), add ‘s.

Example:

Richard’s attempts to solve the problem were rewarded.

If names ending in s, you can either add an apostrophe + s, or just an apostrophe. The first option is more common. When pronouncing a possessive name, we add the sound /z/ to the end of the name.

Charles’s car (or Charles’ car)

Chambers’s house (or Chambers’ house)

Chris’s exam (or Chris’ exam)

Rule 2: Making plural nouns possessive

If a noun is plural in form and ends in an s, add an apostrophe only.

Example:

The tables’ legs were all wobbly and needed repair.

Cherries’ stones can break your teeth if you are not careful.

People are prepared to pay high prices for designers’ clothes.

If a plural noun does not end in s, add ‘s.

Example:

The children’s clothes were brand new.

The prices of men’s shoes run from ￡30 to ￡90.

Rule 3: Indicating possession when two nouns are joined together

If there is joint possession, use the correct possessive for only the possessive closest to the noun.

Example:

Clinton and Gore’s campaign was successful.

I didn’t come to Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s wedding.

Carol and Susan’ s car is out of gasoline.

Rule 4: Indicating possession when two nouns are joined, and ownership is separate

If there is a separate possession of the same noun, use the correct possessive form for each word.

Example:

Susan’s and Beth’s books are full of useful information.

The car’s and the bicycle’s owners could speak French perfectly.

Rule 5: Making hyphenated or compound nouns possessive

With hyphenated or compound nouns, use the correct possessive form for the word closest to the noun. Avoid possessives with compound plurals.

Example:

My daughter-in-law’s gift is a diamond necklace.

The English teacher’s method is very effective.

Your neighborhood letter carrier’s job is more difficult than you imagine.

Possessive Noun Examples

Cat’s toy

Charles’s car

Chris’s exam

Children’s clothes

Men’s shoes

Babies’ shoes

Lemons’ acidity

Owls’ eyes

Sister’s room

Jim’s pen

My mom’s bag