POSSESSIVE NOUNS

BY: MRS. S. IRIZARRY

WHAT DOES THE GIRL OWN? WHAT DOES THE BOY OWN?

•You can change the form of a noun to show

ownership, or possession. A possessive noun names

who or what owns or has something.

Examples:

The coat owned by Pat = Pat’s coat

The blocks belonging to the babies = the babies’

blocks

RULES FOR FORMING POSSESSIVE NOUNS

Singular Nouns

Add an apostrophe and – s (-’s)

a woman’s gloves

Mr. Ross’s hat

the teacher’s question

Plural Nouns that end in s

Add only an apostrophe

the students’ papers

the Williamses’ house

the girls’ pens

Plural Nouns that do not end in s

Add an apostrophe and – s (-’s)

the men’s umbrellas

the geese’s nest

the children’s uniforms

“TRY IT OUT”:

• What is the possessive form of each noun in parentheses? Is the

possessive noun singular or plural?

1. __________ toys (children)

2. The __________ apartment (Ramoses)

3. The __________ webbed feet (goose)

4. A __________ meeting (parents)

5. __________ office (Dr. Lewis)

6. The __________ photocopies (library)

7. The __________ manes (horses)

8. The __________ theme (story)

9. __________ coat (Mrs. Jones)

10.___________ tails (bunnies)

• Complete each sentence using the possessive form of the noun

in parentheses.

11. During her childhood, __________ dream was to become a

doctor. (Elizabeth Blackwell)

12. ___________ applications to medical schools were not

welcomed. (Women)

“ON YOUR OWN”:

• Rewrite each group of words using a possessive noun.

1. The dish belonging to the cat

2. The croaking of the frogs

3. The cages for the mice

4. The wings of the birds

5. The club for women

6. The tools of the plumber

7. The pencil belonging to Mr. Lane

8. The desk that Nicholas has

9. The health of the Harrises

10.The speeches by the boss