Possessive Nouns

 

Definition

A possessive noun means a noun that shows a possession of something.

There are several rules controlling the possessive form of nouns that we can introduce as following:

Rule (1)

• In general, to make a possessive form to singular nouns, we add an apostrophe (‘) and an (s) after a singular noun.

Example

Singular nouns	Possessive form
The boy Anna My husband	The boy’s Anna’s My husband's

1. She has attended her friend's party.
2. We all like mother's cooking.
3. Anna's book was on the table.

Rule (2)

• To show a possession to singular nouns ending in s, there are two ways:
• We can add an apostrophe (‘) and an (s), or only add an apostrophe (‘) to a singular noun.

Example

Singular nouns ending in (s)	Possessive form
Thomas James Charles	Thomas’s/Thomas’ James’s/James’ Charles’s/Charles’

1. Thomas's dog is very amazing.   or   Thomas' dog is very amazing.
2. Which one is James's book?        or    Which one is James' book?

Rule (3)

• we only add an apostrophe (') to show a possessive form of plural nouns ending in s.

Example

Plural nouns ending in s	Possessive form
The students The cars The teams	The students' The cars'  The teams'

1. The pupils'desks are arranged in rows.
2. The three cars'chairs are not comfortable.
3. The brothers'house was destroyed by a disastrous tornado, yesterday.

Rule (4)

• to make a possessive form of plural nouns which do not end in s, we add an apostrophe (') and an (s).

Example

Plural nouns which don't end in s	Possessive form
The children The men  The oxen	the children's the men's the oxen's

1. The children's room is messy.
2. I think that people's voices come from somewhere nearby the football stadium.

Rule (5)

• To make the possessive form of nouns linked by the word (and), we only add an apostrophe (') and an (s) to the last noun.

Example

1. Katy and Sarah's show has exhibited in the theatre.
2. I have visited John, Paul, and Mike's new houses.

Note

Sometimes, we can notice a possessive form such like the following:

1. The boy's father's hat is on the table.

This example includes two possessive forms which mean that the father of the boy whose (who his) hat is on the table. In other words, the hat which belongs to the father of the boy is on the table.

Exercises

1) Which of the following is correct?

To make a possessive form of a singular noun: 

1. We only add an apostrophe (') to the singular noun.
2. We only add an (s) to the singular noun.
3. We add an apostrophe (‘) and an (s) after a singular noun.

 To make a possessive form of a plural noun ending in s: 

1. We add an apostrophe  (')
2. We add an (s)
3. We add both an apostrophe (') and an (s)
4. None of  the above

2) Complete the sentences. Use the possessive form of the nouns in parentheses.

• (Mr. John).......Mr. John's...........house is stolen.
• The (girl)................................... book is red.
• The (boys)................................... games are amazing.
• My (daughters)................................... toys are all over the floor.
• A (child)................................... bicycle is fixed.
• She said that (her friend)...................................last name is White.
• (Jack father last name)................................... is Young.
• (Today)................................... work needs to be vigilant.
• His (wife) ................................... gift is very expensive.
•  Anna and I went to (Jack and Sophia)................................... house  for dinner.
• The (boy father cell phone) ................................... is broken.

Answer key

 Exercise (1)

3-1

Exercise (2)

girl's, boys', daughters', child's, her friend's, Jack's father's last name, today's, wife's, Jack and Sophia's, boy's father's cell phone.