Apostrophes: Possessive Form
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Basics on the topic Apostrophes: Possessive Form
Do you want to know how to use a possessive apostrophe? Learn everything about when to use singular and plural words with a possessive apostrophe through our video and activities!
Apostrophes and Possessive Form – Definition
The possessive form is a way to show belonging or ownership in writing and speaking. The possessive form can help us understand when something belongs to someone or something else. It also shows the connection to a place or a relationship with someone or something.
We show possession by adding an apostrophe and the letter s to the noun that something belongs to: girl’s dress.
Apostrophes and Possessive Form – Strategy
When we want to use an apostrophe for possessive nouns, we need to follow several simple steps:
- First, we identify who or what something belongs to (a noun).
- Then, we identify the thing or the relationship that the noun has.
- Lastly, we add an apostrophe and the letter s to the end of the word.
For example: if we want to say that the book belongs to Tom, we need to know who something belongs to (Tom). Then, we identify the thing that belongs to him (book). Finally, we can add an apostrophe and the letter s to the end of the noun (Tom’s). What is the possessive form of the book belonging to Tom? Tom’s book
Apostrophes and Possessive Form – Rules
There are several rules for using an apostrophe in possessive nouns. In the example above, we looked at a singular noun. Now, let’s take a look at the use of an apostrophe in plural possessive nouns.
Plural nouns are usually followed by the letter s, for example: friends, parents, cats, toys. When we make possessive plural nouns, we add an apostrophe after the last letter, and do not add another s. For example: friends’ house, cats’ toys, parents’ car.
Even though most plural nouns are formed by adding the letter s at the end of the word, some plural nouns don’t follow this rule. They are called irregular plural nouns. Some examples of irregular plural nouns are: children, people, men, women, mice, sheep, fish. To make an irregular plural noun possessive, we add an apostrophe and the letter s to the end of the word: children’s cookies, people’s choice, mice’s food.
Apostrophes and Possessive Form – Summary
To show belonging or ownership in writing and speaking, we use a possessive form. In singular and irregular plural nouns, we make a possessive form by adding an apostrophe and the letter s to the noun that something belongs to. In regular plural nouns, we add an apostrophe after the last letter, and do not add another s. See examples below:
| Type | Example | Possessive Form |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Nouns Possessives | cat | cat’s toy |
| Singular Nouns Possessives | Mike | Mike’s uniform |
| Singular Nouns Possessives | girl | girl’s glasses |
| Regular Plural Nouns Possessives | dogs | dogs’ park |
| Regular Plural Nouns Possessives | girls | girls’ books |
| Regular Plural Nouns Possessives | parents | parents’ house |
| Irregular Plural Nouns Possessives | children | children’s show |
| Irregular Plural Nouns Possessives | women | women’s bathroom |
| Irregular Plural Nouns Possessives | sheep | sheep’s habitat |
Now you know everything about the use of a possessive apostrophe. For more practice, check out our video and activities!
Frequently Asked Questions about Apostrophes and Possessive Form
Apostrophes: Possessive Form exercise
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Identifying the parts of possessive sentences.
HintsLook at the image for clues. The 'who' is holding something.
Next, find out 'what' the penguin has. Check the image to help you!
SolutionThe penguin has something. So, the penguin should be highlighted in blue.
The fish should be highlighted in green. It is the what the penguin has.
Tip: We could also write this sentence as, 'The penguin's fish'!
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Expressing possession with Nia the mouse.
HintsFirst, find who has something and what they have.
Then, say whether 'who has something' is singular or plural.
Singular means one. Plural means more than one.
Remember: add 's to show possession for all singular nouns.
For example, 'the dress belonging to the girl' will be 'the girl's dress'!
SolutionThe mouse's cheese.
The mouse has something. She has the cheese!
'Mouse' is singular, so add 's to show possession.
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Adding apostrophes to regular nouns.
HintsFirst, say if the missing noun is singular or plural.
Singular means only one. Plural means more than one.
If the noun is singular, add 's.
If the noun is regular plural, add an ' after the s.
For example:
'The cows' grass.'
Solution- The tree's leaves. 'Tree' is singular. So, add 's.
- The girls' bikes. 'Girls' is regular plural. So, add an ' at the end.
- The boys' shirts. 'Boys' is regular plural. So, add ' after the s.
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Can you spot the errors on Pip's homework?
HintsFirst, say if the highlighted word is singular or plural. Use the first sentence in each problem to help you.
If the noun is plural, say if it is regular or irregular plural.
Regular plural nouns end in s.
Remember: the possessive form for singular nouns and irregular plural nouns is 's.
Add ' for the possessive form of regular plural nouns.
Solution- Incorrect. The apostrophe is added to the wrong word. So, the correct sentence is 'My aunt's kite'.
- Correct. 'Friends' is regular plural. So, we add ' after the s.
- Incorrect. 'Pirate' is singular. So, the correct sentence is 'The pirate's sword'.
- Incorrect. 'Sheep' is irregular plural. So, the correct sentence is 'The sheep's wool'.
- Correct. 'Men' is irregular plural. So, we add 's to the end of the word.
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Rewrite the sentence.
HintsLook at the example below:
This picture shows a flower belonging to a skunk. The sentence can be be written as:
'The skunk's flower'.
First, find who has something.
Then, find what they have.
Add the 's at the end of who has something.
SolutionThe dog's bone.
- Identify who has something. The dog has something.
- Then, identify what the dog has. The dog has a bone.
- Add the apostrophe s after 'dog'. This shows that the bone belongs to the dog!
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Writing sentences with apostrophes.
HintsFirst, find who has something and what they have.
Then, find out if the noun who has something is singular or plural.
Use the pictures to help you.
If the noun is plural, say if it is regular or irregular plural.
Regular plural nouns end in s.
Remember: the possessive form for singular nouns and irregular plural nouns is 's.
Add ' for the possessive form of regular plural nouns.
SolutionThe bird's book. 'Bird' is singular because there is one bird in the image. So add 's.
The dogs' rug. 'Dogs' is regular plural because there is more than one dog in the image. So add ' after the s.
The fish's tank. 'Fish' can both singular and irregular plural. Here, it is plural because there is more than one fish in the image. So add 's.
The ghosts' cookies. 'Ghosts' is regular plural because there is more than one ghost in the image. So add ' after the s.
