Mastering Possessive ‘s: A Complete Guide
Do you know how to use possessive ‘s? Test your knowledge with interactive exercises and read on for a comprehensive explanation!
Understanding Possessive ‘s
Possessive ‘s helps us express relationships between people and indicate ownership. Here are some examples to illustrate its use:
- Mohammed is my brother’s son.
- My grandpa’s beard is white.
- This is my grandparents’ house.
Grammar Explanation
We use possessive ‘s to denote ownership or relationships, and it always follows a noun or a name. It’s particularly common when discussing family and friends:
- Examples:
- Grandma and Grandpa are my mum’s parents.
- Maria’s best friend is Juanita.
- My cousins’ birthdays are both in January.
Possessive ‘s can also indicate that something belongs to someone:
- That’s Roberto’s flat. He has a flat in the city center.
- Kim’s hair is very long. She has long, black hair.
- My parents’ garden is beautiful. They grow a lot of flowers.
Singular vs. Plural Possessives
When ownership belongs to one person, we generally use ‘s:
- Our friend’s car is red. She loves it.
- Simon’s phone is new. He bought it yesterday.
- Can you see Amira’s keys? She can’t find them.
It’s possible to combine multiple possessives in one phrase:
- We had lunch at my friend’s father’s house.
If a name or noun ends in s, you can add either ‘ or ‘s. The pronunciation may be /zɪz/ or /sɪz/:
- Is that James’ bag?
- That’s my boss’s office.
For plural nouns that indicate ownership, add ‘ after the s:
- Our friends’ house is in the mountains. They moved there last year.
- My grandparents’ dog is named Bertie.
- The twins’ school is closed today.
If the plural noun is irregular and doesn’t end in s, add ‘s:
- This is our children’s school.
- The women’s clothes are on the second floor.
- A lot of people’s eyes are brown.
When listing names for shared ownership, place ‘s after the last name:
- Liam is Anne and Gary’s son.
Important Note on Plurals
Remember, s at the end of a word without an apostrophe signifies a plural but does not indicate possession:
- I’ve got two brothers.
- Are those your keys?
By mastering possessive ‘s, you’ll enhance your ability to express relationships and ownership in English. Ready to practice? Dive into our interactive exercises to reinforce your understanding!