Possessive Nouns

Example: The paintbrush that belonged to the artist was lost. Words that show ownership are called possessive nouns. A noun is possessive if a phrase can be changed to say that an item or idea belongs to someone else. Example: The paintbrush that belonged to the artist was lost. The artist’s paintbrush was lost.

Noun Possessive Pam Pam’s cat cat the cat’s tail Sam Sam’s knee Possessive nouns are used to show that someone owns something. An apostrophe (') is used to show the ownership.

Rule To show the possessive of singular nouns add 's. Examples:  Fluffy Fluffy’s tail Sally Sally’s recipe the man the man’s hat the teacher the teacher’s pencil

The possessive form can also show an feature or characteristic. Examples:  river river’s edge train train’s wheels sun sun’s heat

Possessive Nouns Rules 1-2 To show possession of singular nouns add 's.   To show possession of plural nouns ending in s add an apostrophe ('). Examples: runners => runners' shoes cows => cows' meal trees => trees' apples  

Possessive Nouns Rule 3 To show possession of plural nouns NOT ending in s add an apostrophe and a s (‘s). teeth => teeth’s fillings children => children’s food

Plural Possessives If the plural ends in s just add an apostrophe. If the plural does not end in s add an apostrophe and an s. 1 person 1 item 2 people 2 items the boy’s jacket the boys’ jackets my parent’s car my parents’ cars my boss’s hat my bosses’ hats the woman’s dress the women’s dresses the child’s toy the children’s toys the passerby’s glance the passersby’s glances

the kid’s bike (I kid, 1 bike) the kids’ bike (2 kids, 1 bike) the kids’ bikes (2 kids, 2 bikes)