Does a possessive noun have just an s at the end or an 's?

Answer 1

A possessive noun is identified by an apostrophe s ('s) or an apostrophe following an s at the end of the noun (s').

• For singular nouns that do not end in s, add an apostrophe s ('s) to the end of the word: the boy->the boy's bicycle
• For singular nouns that do end in s, there are two accepted possessive forms: the boss->the boss's desk or the boss' desk
• For plural nouns that do end with s, add an apostrophe after the ending s (s'): the workers->the workers' hours
• For plural nouns that do not end with s, add an apostrophe s ('s) to the end of the word: the men->the men's department
• For nouns that are the same in the singular and plural add an apostrophe s ('s) to the end of the word: a deer'stracks or several deer's tracks

Answer 2

A possessive noun can have just an 's or an apostrophe followed by an s, depending on the noun. For most singular nouns, you can add an 's to show possession (e.g., dog's bone). However, for plural nouns that already end in s, you can just use an apostrophe (e.g., dogs' toys).

Answer 3

Possessive nouns have both an apostrophe and an s, but the position of the apostrophe varies.

A singular possessive noun will have 's, as in examples like "the dog's kennel", "the table's surface", "John's hat".

A plural possessive noun will have s' if the plural word ends in s, such as "the dogs' kennels".

If the noun changes form when it becomes a plural (e.g. child -> children, or goose -> geese) then in the possessive form the apostrophe precedes the s, such as "the children's playtime" or "the geese's pens".