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Table of Contents
How do you address that a thing already belongs to someone? Nouns sometimes indicate a connection with each other. We use possessive nouns to show this relationship.
See the fact file below for more information on Possessive Nouns or alternatively, you can download our 28-page Possessive Nouns worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
Background
- Nouns that show ownership or possession are referred to as Possessive Nouns.
- The unique characteristic of possessive nouns is the apostrophe (‘s) and -s at the end of the noun.
- An apostrophe also works for contraction words.
- Their difference is that the apostrophe in contraction represents a missing letter to the combined words.
EXAMPLES:
Contraction:
we’re (we are), wasn’t (was not), weren’t (were not), aren’t (are not), isn’t (is not), can’t (can not), didn’t (did not), don’t (do not), I’ve (I have)
Possessive Nouns:
Calvin’s dog, Tony’s car, mom’s bag, shop’s goods, secretary’s duties, manager’s call, dancers’ music, technician’s tools, Joy’s website, grandfather’s year
Rules
- There are different ways to show ownership or possession of something or someone.
- Instead of using long phrases, the possessive nouns are simpler and shorter to use and are easier to understand.
- In the example, Jiyo is the owner of this chair; we can just say Jiyo’s chair.
- Nouns in singular, plural, hyphenated and compound, joint and separate possession and other types of nouns have various rules to follow to show their possessive form.
RULE 1
- For singular nouns:
- Add an apostrophe and “s” at the end of the noun.
EXAMPLES:
Tori’s clothes
father’s job
Sarah’s vacation plan
the president’s goals
teacher’s mission
driver’s speed
In Sentences:
- The girl’s mother is the principal of the school
- Skye’s dog went to the show last Saturday.
- The employee’s ID is missing.
- The cat’s food was eaten by another cat.
- What is your cousin’s name?
- Which one is your partner’s handwriting?
- In some cases where singular nouns end in -s, either an apostrophe and “s” can be added or simply an apostrophe.
EXAMPLES:
Charles’s dreams Ms. Jones’ boyfriend
James’s resolution Chris’ watch
Harris’s books Frances’ marriage
In Sentences:
- Nicolas’ fried chicken is the best.
- The company of Jas’s father is where I work.
- Ms. Marcus’ nephew is running for honors.
- I am very grateful for Miles’s recommendation.
- Kris’s necklace is made in Italy.
- Jess’s mom is my mom’s close friend.
- In some singular nouns ending in “s” and followed by a word that starts with “s” only an apostrophe is added.
EXAMPLES:
Travis’ song Maximus’ story
Cyrus’ son Jesus’ sacrifice
Physics’ support Rhys’ store
In Sentences:
- James’ sling bag is originally from Japan.
- Thomas’ saying is popular with teenagers.
- Lukas’ strong belief brought him to where he is now.
- Adonis’ service for the team led us to the championship.
- Tess’ skirt was torn during the performance.
- Key borrowed Jonas’ suit.
RULE 2
- For plural nouns:
- Generally, as the plural form of nouns end in s, the possessive noun is created by adding an apostrophe only.
- However, for nouns with irregular plural form, an apostrophe and “s” is added.
EXAMPLES:
dogs’ food children’s play
the Smiths’ program women’s community
the boys’ outing people’s votes
In Sentences:
- The birds’ nests are all in that area.
- The artists’ concert project was a success.
- Her teeth’s color is as white as the tiles.
- The Roberts’ dream is to have a huge house.
- The princesses’ guards are happy.
- The people’s response to the poll is not that great.
- An apostrophe can also be used to represent how long a person has been doing a thing.
- Apart from this, it can also be used for measurements.
EXAMPLES:
- I spent four years’ experience in design.
- I bought a one dollar’s worth of candies.
- Six years’ experience in the industry and she still does not know what to do.
- Having ten years’ friendship with you is the best thing ever.
- Two weeks’ notice is so short for the team.
- Her six hours’ drive is so tiring.
RULE 3
- The pronoun “it” does not use an apostrophe and “s” to show its possessive form.
- Simply add the letter “s” to the word “it”.
EXAMPLES:
- The bread is on its expiration date.
- The doctor isn’t sure of its cause.
- The dog lost its expensive toy.
- I can see its significance now.
- I don’t think the company and its vision align.
- Its purpose has changed.
RULE 4
- For hyphenated and compound words, add apostrophe and -s to the end of the last word.
EXAMPLES:
mother-in-law’s gift
real estate’s price
teacher-in-charge’s name
middle class’s employment rate
Attorney-in-fact’s task
full-moon’s beauty
In Sentences:
- My sister-in-law’s gown is very pretty.
- The t-shirt’s print design is not good.
- The lady-in-waiting’s room is filled with flowers.
- Her best friend’s wedding is in June.
- The father-in-law’s suit is elegant.
- I cannot determine the swimming pool’s depth.
RULE 5
- For nouns with joint possession, just add apostrophe and -s to the last noun in the group.
EXAMPLES:
Jack and Jill’s water
Jason and Maye’s computer
Mom and dad’s breakfast
the girl and the boy’s project
Dora, Boots, and Diego’s adventures
Adam and Eve’s apple
In Sentences:
- Gerry and Mandy’s restaurant is doing well.
- Are you joining Kurt and Prince’s presentation?
- Lucy and King’s parents are currently in Hawaii.
- Jae, Lyn, and Eric’s party started late at night.
- It would be great to hear Jackson and Lennon’s collaboration.
- Grandfather and grandmother’s vacation will last for two months.
RULE 6
- For two or more nouns that have separate possession, add an apostrophe and -s to each of the nouns.
EXAMPLES:
- Nida’s and Claire’s cars are painted green and yellow.
- Erik’s and Susan’s movies are both nominated on the awards night.
- The girl’s and the boy’s rooms were renovated.
- A company’s and B company’s products are not included on the list.
- Jina’s and Sam’s plans are way too different.
- Bobby’s and Jay’s noodles are already soggy.
RULE 7
- When a noun possesses another noun in the sentence, show ownership based on the singular and plural rules of possessive nouns.
EXAMPLES:
- Ana’s mom’s cat was brought to the hospital last night.
- The author’s cousin’s boss got reprimanded yesterday.
- Albert’s wife’s business is continuously expanding.
- Maria’s husband’s team in the games lost yesterday.
- The child’s father’s money was stolen.
- The business owner’s son’s efforts were appreciated by the people.
Possessive Nouns Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Possessive Nouns across 28 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Possessive Nouns which is a shorter way to show ownership or possession of something or someone.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Possessive Nouns Facts
- What Rules?
- Writing Possessive Nouns
- DIY Possessive Nouns
- The Best Fit
- Play By Rules
- Picture Perfect
- The Difference
- QNA
- What Should Be Here?
- Who Owns This?
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Link will appear as Possessive Nouns Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 29, 2022
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.