Grammar: Possessives
We use the possessive (‘s , ‘ , of) to show ownership (who owns something, who something belongs to).
apostrophe (‘) + s
That is Jonny‘s family.
apostrophe (‘)
The students’ desks are messy.
of
The trunk of the car.
• For singular nouns, add apostrophe (‘) + s.
My cat’s name is Fluffy. (I have one cat named Fluffy)
• If the plural form of the noun ends in s, just add an apostrophe (‘).
My cats’ names are Fluffy and Cutie. (I have two cats. One is named Fluffy and the other is named Cutie)
• If the proper noun ends in s, add apostrophe (‘) or apostrophe (‘) + s. Both are correct, though, we usually write the simpler form, apostrophe (‘). If only the apostrophe is added, the pronunciation is the same as apostrophe + s.
Example: It is Chris’ laptop. OR It is Chris’s laptop. (both are correct)
• It is common and often preferred for animals (especially pets) to use the apostrophe (‘) + s form.
Example: That is Spot’s collar. Spot it my neighbor’s dog.
*It is common for things to use the apostrophe (‘) + s form.
Example: My car’s radio is broken.
• If the noun belongs to multiple people, the apostrophe goes on the last person’s name.
Example: Ben and Andrew’s house is nice. (Ben and Andrew both own the house)
• There can be multiple possessives next to each other.
Example: My brother’s friend’s dog’s name is Fifi.