A possessive noun shows ownership or possession. To form a possessive noun, add an apostrophe s ('s) to most singular nouns. For plural nouns ending in s, add only an apostrophe ('), while plural nouns not ending in s add an apostrophe s. There are also special cases like nouns already ending in s, where only an apostrophe is added without an additional s. Possessive nouns indicate who or what the modified noun belongs to.

2.  A possessive noun is used to show
possession (owning or having).
 The girl’s shirt.
◦ Can also show an attribute or aspect
 The book’s pages
 Possessive nouns tell you who or
what the modified noun or pronoun
belongs to.
www.rhlschool.com/eng3n9.htm
www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=wcn1601

3.  The word "dog's" is the possessive noun. It
tells you that the noun "collar" belongs to
the dog.
 Add 's to the end of a singular noun to
make it possessive.
www.rhlschool.com/eng3n9.htm

4.  If the noun is singular and ends with an s,
add 's or add only the apostrophe (').
 For example:
◦ The bus’s engine stopped.
◦ The bus’ engine stopped.
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5.  Sisters+’
 With words that are plural and end
with -s, like “sisters”, add the
apostrophe (’) to the end.
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6.  If it already ends in s, add an apostrophe only
Bus bus’
Dogs dogs’
 If it doesn’t have an s add an apostrophe S
Cat cat’s
Women women’s

7.  Children +’s
 Nouns that are plural but DO NOT end
in –s, uses the apostrophe (’) s.
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8.  The sailors’ boat was uncomfortable.
 Mr. Evans’ class has a great website.
 The class’ teacher was very young.
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9.  The pony’s rider was too small.
 Your brother’s attitude got him in
trouble.
 Amy’s report card was excellent.
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10.  Mother’s dinner begins at 6:00.
 The attendants’ uniforms were blue
and gold.
 The babysitters heated the babies’
bottles.
webschool.wash.k12.ut.us/language/lessons/possessivenouns.html

11.  Douglas borrowed Kristen’s ruler.
 The volunteers’ program needs more
people.
 The horses’ manes were brushed.
webschool.wash.k12.ut.us/language/lessons/possessivenouns.html

12.  Add an apostrophe and s ('s) to form the
possessive of most singular nouns.
 Add an apostrophe (') to form the possessive
of plural nouns that end with s.
 Add an apostrophe and s ('s) to form the
possessive of plural nouns that do not end
with s.
webschool.wash.k12.ut.us/language/lessons/possessivenouns.html

13. Singular Singular
Possessive
Plural Plural
Possessive
Crutch Crutch’s Crutches Crutches’
Gas Gas’ Gases gases’
Man Man’s Men Men’s
Box Box’s Boxes Boxes’
Desk Desk’s Desks Desks’
Goose Goose’s Geese Geese’s
James’ James’