English Grammar | POSSESSIVE NOUNS

possessive nouns

We use a possessive noun when we want to show that someone owns (i.e., possesses) something.

Usually, to make a noun possessive, add an apostrophe and an s.

e.g.1,  the house of Jo = Jo’s house

e.g.2,  the car of Josh = Josh’s car 

e.g.3,  the daughter of Cris = Cris’s daughter

Most of the exceptions to this rule are historical names that end in an s.

e.g.1, the stories of Jesus = Jesus’ stories

e.g.,2, the heel of Achilles = Achilles’ heel

e.g., 3, the tablets of Moses = Moses’ tablets

When the noun is plural and ends in s, add an apostrophe.

e.g.1, the car that belongs to their two friends = their friends’ car

e.g.,2, the house that belongs to their 3 cousins = their cousins’ house

When the noun is plural but irregular and does not end in an s, add an apostrophe and an s.

e.g.1, the business that belongs to the 3 women = the women’s business

e.g.2, the toys that belong to the 2 children = the children’s toys

e.g.3, the house that belongs to my mom and dad = my parents’ house

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