The Apostrophe Use with Possessives What are possessives
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The Apostrophe Use with Possessives
What are possessives nouns? Possessives show ownership. n They show something belongs to someone or something. n For example n the boy’s book n
the coat belongs to the girl § the girl’s coat ü the bone belongs the dog § the dog’s bone ü the pencil belongs to the teacher § the teacher’s pencil ü The jump ropes belong to the students ü the students’ jumprope ü
There are 3 rules to guide how to make possessives.
Rule 1: To form the possessive of a singular noun, add an apostrophe and s (‘s) n For example, if the singular noun “cat” has a brush, the possessive form is: the cat’s brush
The lady owns the coat. n the lady’s coat n The man has a belt. n the man’s belt n Frank owns the boat. n Frank’s boat n
Rule 2: For a plural noun ending in s, add only an apostrophe (‘) n Example: the three girls’ notebook Not: the three girls’s notebook
three ladies own the business n the three ladies’ business n the pen belongs to the dogs n the dogs’ pen n the students own the computer n the students’ computer n
the ring belongs to the girl n the girl’s ring (singular) n the bike belongs to three boys n the three boys’ bike (plural) n the cooks own the kitchen n the cooks’ kitchen (plural) n the tools belong to dad n dad’s tools (singular) n
Some nouns are made into plurals without adding s. man men mouse mice children
Rule 3: For a plural noun that does not end in s, add an apostrophe and s (‘s). The cars belong to the men. n The men’s cars n The cheese belongs to the mice. n The mice’s cheese n The children own the toys. n The children’s toys n
The bone belongs to the dogs. n The dogs’ bone n The dishes belong to the women. n The women’s dishes n The people own the seats. n The people’s seats n The basketball belongs to the players. n The players’ basketball n
Review n Singular possessive nouns add ‘s the man’s glove n Plural nouns ending in s, add only the apostrophe ‘. the four cats’ toy n Plural nouns that do not end in s, add ‘s. the men’s cars