This document focuses on the grammar of possessive nouns and adjectives, explaining their usage and distinctions. It provides rules for forming singular and plural possessive nouns and introduces possessive adjectives as substitutes for possessive nouns. Additionally, it highlights common pitfalls, such as distinguishing between 'whose' and 'who's' in the context of possession.

1. 4
Possessive Nouns and
Possessive Adjectives;
Questions with Whose
Don’t Leave Your Bags
Unattended
Focus on Grammar 2
Part IV, Unit 12
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Whose Bag is This?
Huh? My bag? must
Please, you Excuse me, whose
Thatnotwhere’s That’s
It’s be joking. is too
our bag.
Hey, That bag
looks too my bag is this?
niceMaybemy bag. old. It’s
to be bag?her
it’s
cheap and
not my bag.
bag.
Oh, I know. I think bag.
probably his
that’s Al’s bag.

3. Possessive Nouns and Adjectives
Possessive nouns and possessive adjectives
show belonging.
That is John’s
suitcase.
That is his
suitcase.

4. Singular Possessive Nouns
Add an apostrophe (’) + s to a singular noun to
show possession.
That is
George’s
ticket.

5. Plural Possessive Nouns
Add an apostrophe (’) to a plural noun ending to
show possession.
Those are
the
Jones’
tickets.

6. Possessive Adjectives
Possessive adjectives replace possessive nouns.
Possessive
Possessive
Adjective
Nouns
That’s their luggage.
That’s Tim and Sue’s
luggage.
Possessive
Possessive
Adjective
Noun
That’s Lee’s fishing pole.
That’s his fishing pole.

7. Form
Subject Possessive
Pronouns Adjectives
I my
you your
he his
she her
it its
we our
they their

8. Replace the possessive nouns
Practice 1 with possessive adjectives.
Example: Mrs. Santos is Lia’s teacher.
Mrs. Santos is her teacher.
1. Roger and Susan’s backpacks are in the car.
Their backpacks are in the car.
2. The dog’s name is Duke.
Its name is Duke.
3. Sam’s and my suitcase is lost.
Our suitcase is lost.

9. Be Careful!
A noun + apostrophe (’) + s doesn’t always mean possession.
Don’t confuse possessive nouns with subjects + verbs.
S V
Carol’s S V
unsure.
Bob’s luggage is
a little strange.

10. Identify the subjects and verbs
Practice 2 in the sentences.
S V
Example: Its name is Poppy.
S V
1. The boys’ room is messy.
S V
2. Lisa’s a science major.
S V
3. Bob’s truck is new.

11. Questions with Whose
Use whose for questions about possession.
That’s not my
chicken.
Whose
chicken is
this?

12. Be Careful!
Don’t confuse whose with who’s.
Possessive
Whose
Whose luggage is this
anyway?
Who is
Who’s woman in the
the
pink dress?

13. Complete the sentences with
Practice 3 whose or who’s.
Who’s
Example: __________ the pilot of this airplane?
Whose
1. __________ seat is this?
Who’s
2. __________ your travel agent?
Whose
3. __________ tickets are these?
Who’s
4. __________ the security officer?
Whose
5. __________ bag is on the floor?

14. References
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and
its licensors. All rights reserved.