Possessive NounsBrought to you by powerpointpros.com

What are Possessive Nouns?

Possessive nouns show ownership or relationship between things.

Possessive Noun Rules

There are 3 main rules when making a normal noun a possessive noun. Here they are:

-Add an ’s to a singular noun to make it possessive.-Add only an apostrophe (’) to plural nouns that already end in s.-Add an ’s to a plural noun that doesn’t end in s.

Rule 1: Add an ’s to a singular noun to make it possessive.

Recall that singular nouns name only one thing. To make a singular noun into a singular possessive noun, add an ’s.

Rule 1: Add an ’s to a singular noun to make it possessive.

Examples of this:

truck’s tiresman’s suitwaitress’s uniform

All of the nouns here that are being changed into possessive nouns are singular. Therefore, making them possessive nouns is as simple as adding an ’s.

Possessive Noun Rules

There are 3 main rules when making a normal noun a possessive noun. Here they are:

-Add an ’s to a singular noun to make it possessive.-Add only an apostrophe (’) to plural nouns that already end in s.-Add an ’s to a plural noun that doesn’t end in s.

Rule 2: Add only an apostrophe (’) to plural nouns that already end in s.

Recall that plural nouns name more than one thing. However, using this rule isn’t just as simple as determining whether or not a noun is plural. In order to use this rule, make sure that the plural noun you are changing already ends in an s.

Rule 2: Add only an apostrophe (’) to plural nouns that already end in s.

Examples of this:

ladies’ restaurantteachers’ manualcooks’ kitchen

All of the nouns here that are being changed into possessive nouns are plural. They also all end in s. Therefore, we made them possessive nouns by just adding an apostrophe.

Possessive Noun Rules

There are 3 main rules when making a normal noun a possessive noun. Here they are:

-Add an ’s to a singular noun to make it possessive.-Add only an apostrophe (’) to plural nouns that already end in s.-Add an ’s to a plural noun that doesn’t end in s.

Rule 3: Add an ’s to a plural noun that doesn’t end in s.

This rule applies for those nouns that, when in plural form, don’t end in an s. When a plural noun doesn’t end in an s, use this rule to make it a possessive noun.

Rule 3: Add an ’s to a plural noun that doesn’t end in s.

Examples of this:

children’s gamegeese’s pond

All of the nouns here that are being changed into possessive nouns are plural. However, they don’t end in s. Therefore, we made them possessive nouns by adding an ’s.

Practice

Now that we know the rules, let’s apply them with the following practice problems:

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The pond being owned by all the ducks

The ducks’ pond

Remember the Rules!- Add an ’s to a singular

noun to make it possessive.- Add only an apostrophe

(’) to plural nouns that already end in s.- Add an ’s to a plural noun

that doesn’t end in s.

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The muffin being owned by one lady

The lady’s muffin

Remember the Rules!- Add an ’s to a singular

noun to make it possessive.- Add only an apostrophe

(’) to plural nouns that already end in s.- Add an ’s to a plural noun

that doesn’t end in s.

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The tux being owned by one man

The man’s tux

Remember the Rules!- Add an ’s to a singular

noun to make it possessive.- Add only an apostrophe

(’) to plural nouns that already end in s.- Add an ’s to a plural noun

that doesn’t end in s.

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The toys being owned by all the children

The children’s toys

Remember the Rules!- Add an ’s to a singular

noun to make it possessive.- Add only an apostrophe

(’) to plural nouns that already end in s.- Add an ’s to a plural noun

that doesn’t end in s.

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The boat being owned by one captain

The captain’s boat

Remember the Rules!- Add an ’s to a singular

noun to make it possessive.- Add only an apostrophe

(’) to plural nouns that already end in s.- Add an ’s to a plural noun

that doesn’t end in s.

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The food being owned by many cats

The cats’ food

Remember the Rules!

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The group being owned by all of the womenThe women’s group

Remember the Rules!

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The desk belonging to one student

The student’s desk

Remember the Rules!

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The tournament being owned by all of the men

The men’s tournament

Remember the Rules!

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The tractor being owned by two farmers

The farmers’ tractor

Remember the Rules!

Practice with Possessive Nouns

The pet being owned by one family

The family’s pet

Remember the Rules!

Great job!

You now know about possessive nouns and how to make possessive nouns.