Possessive Nouns
The possessive form is used with nouns referring to people, groups of people, countries, and animals.
The possessive form is used with nouns referring to people, groups of people, countries, and animals. It shows a relationship of belonging between one thing and another.
Leslie’s aunt is a doctor
To form the possessive, add an apostrophe + -s to the noun.
My brother’s computer was stolen a week ago
Children’s toys were on the ground
If the noun already ends in -s , just add an apostrophe.
Students’ homework will be assessed later
For names ending in -s , you can either add an apostrophe + -s , or just an apostrophe. The first option is more common.
They want to sell James’s car
Study some of the fixed expressions where the possessive form is used.
a day’s work, a month’s pay, in a year’s time, for God’s sake
Note that the possessive is also used to refer to shops, restaurants, churches, universities etc., using the name or job title of the owner.
I want to go to Luigi’s for dinner Peter has an appointment at the dentist’s at 10 a.m
Guided Practice
- The (baby) .................... clothes should be washed regularly.
- Your (parents) .................... signatures are not needed in this case.
For names ending in -s, you can either add an apostrophe + -s, or just an apostrophe. Note that the first option is more common.
- I like (Adams) .................... style of writing.
- Jim needs more than a (month) .................... pay to cover his expenses.
Note that the possessive is also used to refer to shops, restaurants, churches, universities etc., using the name or job title of the owner.
- Some people do not agree with (Facebook) .................... new privacy policy.
Short Story using Possesive Nouns
-It’s so difficult living together with him. James’s clothes are always lying everywhere. And then he would come to our place together with his brother’s friends and play board games till 10 p.m.
-Maybe he doesn’t see this as an issue. Have you talked about it with him?
-Why can’t he get it without me pointing these issues out? My parents’ relationship isn’t like that….
-Stop complaining for God’s sake! I think that James’s patience will run out soon.
Independent Practice
Find mistakes in the following sentences.
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My mother’s-in-law tips are really helpful.
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I want to go to Olivia place.
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The girls’s room was very messy.
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I don’t like your t-shirt’ses logo. It looks weird.
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What’s the books’s title?
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We’re hanging around at Macys’s. Could you pick us up?
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I guess that they won’t finish this project even in a year time.
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Lawyer’es fees aren’t fixed.
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Have you already read today newspaper?
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Kelly boyfriend is running late. Where is she?