Question

USING APOSTROPHES WITH POSSESSIVE NOUNS

Apostrophes are used with nouns to show ownership or possession

Add an apostrophe and -s to show the possessive case of most singular nouns and plural nouns that do not end in -s or -es.

EXAMPLES: Lin’s mom is shopping. Gus’s book is on the desk.

Fasten the oxen’s yoke.

Add an apostrophe to show the possessive case of plural nouns ending in -s or -es. Do not add an -s.

EXAMPLES the golfers’ magazine. We heard the cars’ honking.

Add an apostrophe and -s (or just an apostrophe if the word is a plural ending in -s) to the last word of a compound noun to form the possessive.

EXAMPLE: Folk music’s popularity is well known.

PRACTICE A Using Apostrophes to Show Ownership

Read each phrase. Write the possessive form of each item on the line.

Example: the bat belonging to the clean-up hitter

Answer: the clean-up hitter’s bat

1. the work of a day

2. the home of my cousins

3. the uniforms for the boys

4. the question of Dion

5. the dress for the maid of honor

6. the books that belong to Chris

Answer 1

1. the day’s work
2. my cousins’ home
3. the boys’ uniforms
4. Dion’s question
5. the maid of honor’s dress
6. Chris’s books