Possessive Apostrophe: Rules, Explanations, and Examples
A possessive apostrophe shows ownership or possession. For example, in “Tom’s car,” the car belongs to Tom.
When a singular noun ends in “s,” both forms with ’s or just ’ are acceptable.
- Chris’s baby is getting baptized today.
- Chris’ baby is getting baptized today.
There are additional rules to using the possessive apostrophe correctly.
Possessive Apostrophe: Rules and Examples
It’s worth reiterating that the guidelines below are not always clear-cut. Sometimes, different experts and guidelines recommend different usage when it comes to the possessive apostrophe after an “S.”
Possessive Apostrophes and Singular Nouns
Forming possessive singular nouns to words that don’t end in “S” is pretty straightforward: All you have to do is add an apostrophe + “S”. This is true of both common and proper nouns.
Juliet’s bag is missing.
If the singular noun ends in “S”, it is usually recommended to add an apostrophe + “S,” whether it’s a common or proper noun.
Charles’s flight got delayed.
However, it’s also acceptable to just add an apostrophe to singular nouns that end in “S.” (See what we mean by the rules being ambiguous?)
Charles’ flight got delayed.
Possessive Apostrophes and Plural Nouns
Typically, if a plural noun ends with an “S,” you simply have to add an apostrophe.
But what about plural nouns that don’t end in “S”? In that case, you would add an apostrophe + “S”.
Knowing this, the placement of the apostrophe can inform you whether the noun is singular possessive or plural possessive. For example,
Because tiger is followed by an apostrophe + “S,” you can deduce that one tiger had its cage filled with snacks and goodies. On the contrary,
In the example above, the enclosure belongs to multiple tigers, and it was filled with snacks and goodies.
Possessive Apostrophes and Plural Last Names
Usually, last names become plural by simply adding an “S.”
However, if the last name ends with an “S” or “Z,” then it is pluralized by adding
“–es.”
The Lopez family → The Lopezes
That being said, you should pluralize the last name and then add the apostrophe as needed.
But the Joneses’ generosity helped them recover quickly.
Possessive Apostrophes and Classical/Biblical Names
The guidelines can be a little different for classical and biblical names. Usually, names that end in “S” or “ES” and have two syllables or more, simply get an apostrophe.
Socrates’ philosophies are still widely popular.
However, if the name is only one syllable, then it typically gets an apostrophe + “S” added to it.
Possessive Apostrophes and Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns (e.g., ours, yours, his, hers, theirs, etc.) take no apostrophe.
The umbrella is hers.
Is that bird yours?
Possessive Apostrophes and Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns (e.g., anyone, everyone, somebody, etc.) use the singular possessive form.
That is definitely somebody’s pet because it looks healthy and well-fed.
Possessive Apostrophes and Compound Nouns
For compound nouns that contain separate words (e.g., Christmas tree or Alex and John), you only need to add an apostrophe + “S” to the last noun.
Alex and John’s new apartment is really spacious.
Possessive Apostrophes for Buildings, Objects, and Pieces of Furniture
If you are indicating possession for a building, object, or piece of furniture, there is no need to use an apostrophe.
- The office bathroom is out of order.
- The
office’sbathroom is out of order. - The laptop screen was damaged.
- The
laptop’sscreen was damaged. - The chair leg was wobbly.
- The
chair’sleg was wobbly.
Using Possessive Apostrophes Correctly
Don’t get overwhelmed by the vast number of rules there are for possessive apostrophes. If you’re writing for a publication, make sure to follow their style guide. If you’re writing for school, ask your teacher which rules you should stick to. What’s important is that you remain consistent throughout your writing. Don’t follow one rule in one paragraph, and then another in the next.
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