How do you know a noun is plural possessive singular possessive or just plural?

Answer 1

The only way to know when a noun is plural possessive or singular possessive is to know when a noun is plural or singular. There are regular plural nouns that are formed by adding an 's' or an 'es' to the end of the word, but there are many variations of irregular plural nouns that may or may not end with an 's'. There are also uncountable plural nouns that have no singular form, and uncountable singular nouns that have no plural form; not to mention nouns that are spelled the same in both the plural and the singular form.

If you're not sure of the noun itself, look up the noun in a dictionary (or dictionary website). Most dictionaries show the plural form of the noun.

Once you know if the noun is plural or singular, you can apply to rules for forming possessive nouns:

1. For a singular noun that does not end with 's', add an apostrophe s ('s) to the end of the word.

• This is my mother'scar.
• Dr. Porter's office is in building two.

2. There are two accepted forms that show possession for singular nouns ending in s:

Add an apostrophe (') after the existing s at the end of the word: class'

Add an apostrophe s ('s) after the existing s at the end of the word: class's

• The class' assignment is due on Monday.
• The class's assignment is due on Monday.

3. For regular plural nouns that end with an s, an apostrophe is placed after the ending s (s').

• All of my classes' assignments are done.
• The babies' names are Jack and Jill.

4. For irregular plural nouns that do not end with an s, add an apostrophe s ('s) to the end of the word (the same as a singular noun that doesn't end with s).

• We went to the children's playground.
• We followed the mice's footprints to find the gap where they entered.