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Possessive Apostrophe
What Is a Possessive Apostrophe?
A possessive apostrophe is an apostrophe used in a noun to show that the noun owns something (e.g., woman's hat). More specifically, a possessive apostrophe and the letter s are added to a noun to make the noun possessive. For example:- Simon's car
- the dog's bone
- the fairies' village
- If the noun ends -s (e.g., dogs, Jesus), add just ' (an apostrophe). For example:
- the hay of the horses = the horses' hay
- If the noun doesn't end -s (e.g., dog, Simon), add 's.
- the hay of the horse = the horse's hay
- the hay of the horse = the horse's hay
Apostrophe Placement - A Simple Rule for Everything
This infographic summarizes apostrophe placement with possessive nouns:
Placement of Possessive Apostrophes
When thinking about the placement of possessive apostrophes, writers often ask whether the apostrophe goes before the s or after the s. However, that's the wrong question. Writers should ask themselves whether the word already ends -s. If it doesn't, they need one (i.e., add 's). If it does, they don't need one (add just ').Here's some more guidance on placing possessive apostrophes and a top tip for checking you've done it correctly:
Are You Good at Possessive Apostrophes?
Here's a quick test.More about Using Apostrophes for Possession
Do not get tied up with thinking about whether the word is singular or plural. When using an apostrophe to show possession, the first thing to check is whether the possessor (i.e., the noun that will become a possessive noun) already ends -s. If the word is singular, then it will probably not end -s, but it might (e.g., "Moses"). If the word is plural, then it will probably end -s (e.g, "dogs"), but it might not (e.g., "men"). Remember that it is the last letter that determines whether you add just ' or 's.Let's do some examples using this process: Example 1:
- The kennel of the dog (The possessor is "dog." As it doesn't end -s, add 's.)
- The dog's kennel
- The kennel of the dogs (The possessor is "dogs." As it already ends -s, add just '.)
- The dogs' kennel
- The attitude of the men (The possessor is "men." As it doesn't end -s, add 's.)
- The men's attitude
- With the leadership of Moses (The possessor is "Moses." As it already ends -s, add just '.)
- With Moses' leadership
More Examples of Apostrophe Placement for Possessive Nouns
Singular Possessor Not Ending "-S"
With one possessor (provided it doesn't end -s), add 's.For example:
- Take the girl's hand and place it on the cushion.
- I had to remove Peter's label and replace it.
- Wagner's music is better than it sounds.
(Author Mark Twain)
- A foolish woman knows a foolish man's faults.
(Proverb)
- A friend's eye is a good mirror.
(Proverb)
- A guest should be blind in another man's house.
(Proverb)
Plural Possessor Ending "-S"
With a plural possessor (provided it ends -s), add '.For example:
- The horses' hay is damp.
- The players' privileges have been removed.
- The fairies' wings glistened in the moonlight.
- I specifically did not read other First Ladies' books, because I didn't want to be influenced by how they defined the role.
(First Lady Michelle Obama)
Plural Possessor Not Ending "-S"
With a plural possessor that doesn't end -s, add 's.For example:
- He is the people's poet.
- The women's toilets are out of bounds.
- My watch was stolen from the men's changing room.
- All television is children's television.
(Author Richard P. Adler)
- Zeus does not bring all men's plans to fulfilment.
(Greek author Homer)
Singular Possessor Ending "-S"
With a singular possessor that ends -s (e.g., Charles, Wales, Paris, Dickens), you have a choice. You can add just ' or 's. It depends how you (yes, you personally) pronounce it. For example:- It is Charles' birthday.
- It is Charles's birthday.
- I have not seen Wales' new stadium.
- I have not seen Wales's new stadium.
- Dr. Evans' report
- Dr. Evans's report
- Miss Williams' victory
- Miss Williams's victory
- IT Solutions' conference
- IT Solutions's conference
(Note that, as a company name, "IT Solutions" is singular.)

St. James's or St. James' underground station in London has both of these signs — one at each entrance. It's not a great example of consistency, but it makes the point that both versions are acceptable.
A Quirk with Compound Nouns
Here's something to look out for. Some compound nouns (e.g., "sister-in-law") form their plurals by adding s to the principal word (i.e., the plural is "sisters-in-law"). With a noun like this, the possessive form is created by adding 's to the end (regardless of whether it is singular or plural). For example:Singular Possessive Noun | Plural Possessive Noun |
---|---|
|
|
Apostrophes with Joint Ownership
Here's something else to look out for. Joint ownership is shown by making the last word in the series possessive. Individual ownership is shown by making both (or all) parts possessive. For example:- Andrew and Jacob's factory
(joint ownership)
(Note: Only the last part is possessive.)
- Andrew's and Jacob's factories
(individual ownership)
(Note: Both parts are possessive.)
Here is another example:
- India and Pakistan's problems
- India's and Pakistan's problems
It's Not About the Thing Being Possessed
Choosing ' or 's is determined only by the possessor. It doesn't matter whether the thing being possessed is singular or plural. For example:- the dog's dinner (one dog, one dinner)
- the dogs' dinner (several dogs, one dinner)
- the dog's dinners (one dog, several dinners)
- the dogs' dinners (several dogs, several dinners)
Do Not Put an Apostrophe in the Word Itself
An apostrophe that shows possession never appears inside the possessive noun.- Dicken's novel
- The ladie's coats
- the dinner of the cats = the cat's dinner
Do Not Use It's for Possession
It's is a contraction of "it is" or "it has."This is a 100% rule. The word it's has nothing to do with possession. Rather oddly (given what we've covered), the word its (without an apostrophe) is used for possession.
- I know its name. It's written on its collar.
- It's completed it's maiden voyage.
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