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What is the rule when adding an apostrophe s ('s) to a word to indicate possession?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
The basic rules for forming possessive nouns are:
SINGULAR NOUNS
Singular possessive nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe s ('s) to the end of a noun.
Example: I used my grandma's recipe for the cake.
There are two accepted forms for possessive singular nouns ending in s:
Add an apostrophe (') after the existing s at the end of the word: Thomas'
Add an apostrophe s ('s) after the existing s at the end of the word: Thomas's
Examples:
I like Thomas' new bicycle.
I like Thomas's new bicycle.
PLURAL NOUNS
Plural nouns ending in s form the possessive by adding an apostrophe (') after the s at the end of the word.
Plural noun that do not end in s form the possessive by adding an apostrophe s ('s) to the end of the word.
Examples:
The books' covers were damaged in storage.
The children's coats all hung in a row.
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∙ 7y ago
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What is the rule when adding an apostrophe s to a word to indicate possession?
When indicating possession with an apostrophe s, you add it to a singular noun (e.g., the cat's whiskers). For plural nouns ending in s, you generally add just an apostrophe (e.g., the cats' toys). For plural nouns not ending in s, you add apostrophe s (e.g., the children's laughter).
What is the rule for apostrophes when a word ends in s?
When a singular noun ends in "s," you can add an apostrophe followed by another "s" ('s) to show possession. For plural nouns that end in "s," just add an apostrophe after the final "s" to indicate possession.
Rule on apostrophe for plural forms of nouns or verbs?
First, there is never an apostrophe used for verbs unless it is a contraction, not a plural or possession. Example: "My running's really improved!" This is a contraction of running and has. Second, if a noun is plural the apostrophe will come after the "s".
What is the difference between the word it's and the word its?
Good question. The use of the apostrophe causes much confusion and the word "it" adds some complexity. To answer your question first, "it's" is simply an abbreviation of "it is" while "its" implies possession. Example (brackets used for explanation): "It's (it is) a fact that a kangaroo puts its (possession) young in a pouch" "It" and other pronouns however are exceptions to a general grammatical rule regarding using an "s" to express possession. The general grammar rule would be for singular possession, use 's. Example (brackets used for explanation): "A kangaroo's (singular possession) pouch is for the protection of its (possession special case for it) young" For multiple (plural) possession, you use s' to avoid confusion Example (brackets used for explanation): "Kangaroos' (plural/multiple possession) pouches (plural/multiple) protect their (plural/multiple) young" It's tricky but as mentioned, but possessive pronouns are the only exception to the rule about using an apostrophe to indicate possession. It's (it is) the reason we write "hers", "yours", "theirs", etc. instead of "her's", "yours' ", and so on.
When a persons last name does not end in s do you add 's or s' to show possession?
When the name does not end in s, one should use 's. eg) Mr Smith's pen. This is the same as any apostrophe of posession, eg) the cat's whiskers. When the name does end in an s, the rule is exactly the same. eg) Mr. Jones's pen. James's watch. You never add s' to show possession. If the word is a plural formed with an s, such as baskets or buffaloes, the possessive is indicated by adding an apostrophe alone eg) the baskets' handles, the buffaloes' horns.
What is the rule when adding an apostrophe s to a word to indicate possession?
When indicating possession with an apostrophe s, you add it to a singular noun (e.g., the cat's whiskers). For plural nouns ending in s, you generally add just an apostrophe (e.g., the cats' toys). For plural nouns not ending in s, you add apostrophe s (e.g., the children's laughter).
What is the rule when adding an apostrophe's to a word to indicate possession?
To show something is possessed by one owner, add an apostrophe and the letter 's' to the owner. e.g. the cat's milk. (the milk belongs to the cat) To show possession of plural owners you usually only need to add an apostrophe as most plurals already end in 's'. If the plural doesn't end in 's' then add the apostrophe followed by the 's'.
Rule on apostrophe for plural forms of nouns or verbs?
First, there is never an apostrophe used for verbs unless it is a contraction, not a plural or possession. Example: "My running's really improved!" This is a contraction of running and has. Second, if a noun is plural the apostrophe will come after the "s".
What is the rule for using apostrophes to show possession of proper nouns that end in s for example Chris?
The rule for using an apostrophe to show possession for a proper noun is the same as for a common noun. The rule for nouns that end in 's' is that the apostrophe is placed after the existing 's', or -'s is added if the possessive form is pronounced with the additional syllable. Some examples:The boss's deskThe bosses' meetingChris's fatherThe Chrises' last names
What is a good rule of thumb for using apostrophe's to show possession versus action?
The apostrophe is generally used to show possession or a contraction. Example 1: "Melissa broke her brother'sskateboard." In this sentence we can see that the apostrophe is used to tell us that the skateboard Melissa broke belongs to her brother. Hence, the apostrophe is used to show possession. Example 2: "Melissa thinks that her brother's a jerk." In this sentence we can see that the apostrophe is used to contract or shorten "brother is." Hence, the apostrophe is used to show a contraction. Other, more common contractions, such as "isn't" (is not) and "don't" (do not) are formed similarly. The best way to decide the proper use of an apostrophe is to know what it is you are writing about. Ask yourself, "Am I writing about a thing that belongs to someone, or am I trying to shorten two words into one?"
What is the difference between the word it's and the word its?
Good question. The use of the apostrophe causes much confusion and the word "it" adds some complexity. To answer your question first, "it's" is simply an abbreviation of "it is" while "its" implies possession. Example (brackets used for explanation): "It's (it is) a fact that a kangaroo puts its (possession) young in a pouch" "It" and other pronouns however are exceptions to a general grammatical rule regarding using an "s" to express possession. The general grammar rule would be for singular possession, use 's. Example (brackets used for explanation): "A kangaroo's (singular possession) pouch is for the protection of its (possession special case for it) young" For multiple (plural) possession, you use s' to avoid confusion Example (brackets used for explanation): "Kangaroos' (plural/multiple possession) pouches (plural/multiple) protect their (plural/multiple) young" It's tricky but as mentioned, but possessive pronouns are the only exception to the rule about using an apostrophe to indicate possession. It's (it is) the reason we write "hers", "yours", "theirs", etc. instead of "her's", "yours' ", and so on.
What is the rule in adding rational numbers?
what is the rule in adding rational numbers
Where do you put the apostrophe at in the plural possessive form in the word ATM?
The plural form of the acronym ATM is ATMs.The plural possessive form is ATMs',The plural possessive form would be ATMs'. Since an "s" is added because of the plurality, the rule states that the apostrophe goes after the "s" to show possession.
What is the difference between 's and no apostrophe s?
's is used to refer to singular possession.No apostrophe and then an 's' indicates a plural.Be careful about possessive pronouns, though! They're a big exception to the standard English rule that an apostrophe indicates possession. Hers, yours, and especially itscause a lot of confusion because they're among the few possessives that never use an apostrophe. Many people mistakenly use it's as a possessive because of the apostrophe, but it's (!) actually a contraction of it is.
What are some plural possessive nouns?
A possessive noun is a noun indicating ownership, possession, purpose, or origin.Possessives are formed by adding an apostrophe -s ('s) to the end of the word, or just an apostrophe to plural nouns that already end with -s.Forming a plural possessive noun is dependent on whether the plural noun ends with an -s or does not.Example plural possessive nouns:the covers of the books = the books' coversthe assembly of classes = the classes' assemblythe coats of the children = the children's coatsshoes for men = men's shoesthe houses of the neighbors = the neighbors' houses
Why is the plural possessive form of children children's?
In English, the plural possessive form is created by adding an apostrophe and an "s" to indicate ownership. So, "children's" is the plural possessive form of "children" because it shows that something belongs to more than one child.
When a persons last name does not end in s do you add 's or s' to show possession?
When the name does not end in s, one should use 's. eg) Mr Smith's pen. This is the same as any apostrophe of posession, eg) the cat's whiskers. When the name does end in an s, the rule is exactly the same. eg) Mr. Jones's pen. James's watch. You never add s' to show possession. If the word is a plural formed with an s, such as baskets or buffaloes, the possessive is indicated by adding an apostrophe alone eg) the baskets' handles, the buffaloes' horns.
