A possessive noun is a type of noun that owns or possesses something. Almost all nouns become possessive with the addition of an apostrophe "s." Plural nouns ending in "s" only need a possessive apostrophe at the end of the word; no extra "s" after the apostrophe.
The following English grammar rules apply to the use of possessive nouns:
Rule/Type | Explanation | Example |
---|---|---|
Rule 1: Singular | Add an apostrophe "s" to the end of a singular word | dad's tuxedo; mom's wedding ring |
Rule 2: Plural | Add an apostrophe after the "s" that makes the noun plural | teachers' lounge; Smiths' house |
Rule 3: Hyphenated | Add an apostrophe "s" to the last word | mother-in-law's bracelet; 5-year-old's toys |
Rule 4: Compound | Add an apostrophe "s" to the end of the word. | greenhouse's window; firefly's light |
Rule 5: Multiple Nouns Sharing Possession | Add an apostrophe "s" to the last noun in the group | Grandma and Grandpa's house; Ted and Jen's honeymoon |
Rule 6: Multiple Nouns Separate Possession | Add an apostrophe "s" to the end of each word | Sara's and Tim's coats; Mike's and Michelle's cell phones |
If a singular noun ends in "s," both apostrophe "s" or just an apostrophe are considered correct.
Irregular plural nouns follow the same rules to show possession that plural possessive nouns use if the noun ends in "s." Take the example:
babies' blankets
"Babies" is an irregular plural noun that ends in "s," so it only requires an apostrophe in its plural form.
Irregular plural nouns that do not end in "s" follow the same rules as singular possessive nouns. For example:
women's backpacks
"Women" is an irregular plural noun but does not end with "s," so the possessive form requires an apostrophe "s."
The following sentences incorporate examples of possessive nouns:
Singular
Plural
Hyphenated
Compound
Sharing Possession
Separate Possession
Learn about other English language terms like pronouns, proper nouns, and adverbs.
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