POSSESSIVE CASE OF NOUNS

One simple rule applies to all cases: If the singular form of the noun does not end in s, add the
apostrophe and s (‘s). If the singular ends in s, add the apostrophe (‘).
The same rule applies to the plural: If the plural does not end in s, add the apostrophe and s (‘s).
If the plural ends in s, add the apostrophe (‘).

SINGULAR POSSESSIVE PLURAL POSSESSIVE

boy boy’s boys boys’
lady lady’s ladies ladies’
hero hero’s heroes heroes’
man man’s men men’s
Charles Charles’ Charleses Charleses’
horse horse’s horses horses’
child child’s children children’s
mouse mouse’s mice mice’s

The proper nouns form the possessive according to the same rule:

Mary Mary’s Marys Marys’

Jones Jones’ Joneses Joneses’
Burns Burns’ Burneses Burneses’

This rule applies to nouns ending in x and z. Heinz’ bike. – Heinz’s bike
Knox’ hats. – Knox’s hats.

If you want the sound of the additional s, the apostrophe and s may be added. But in modern
practice the form with just the apostrophe is generally used.
This is Charles’ fishing rod. This is Charles’s fishing rod.
I saw Doris’ picture at the studio. I saw Doris’s picture at the studio.

SPECIAL FORMS OF THE POSSESSIVE

It is better practice not to use the possessive forms for inanimate objects. (They cannot possess
anything in the sense that animate objects can). Avoid expressions such as the table’s top, the
book’s ending, the lake’s shore and the shop’s window. It is much better to use the phrase with of
in such cases.

the top of the table the ending of the book the shore of the lake the window of the shop
BUT: There are certain exceptions to this rule. Usage has established authority for using
expressions such as the following:
the earth’s surface the sun’s rays the world’s progress the law’s delay
the season’s greetings time’s flight the water’s edge
Certain expressions relating to time, distance and value are also written with the sign of the
possessive case:

a moment’s delay two weeks’ salary a month’s vacation a few minutes’ quiet
a stone’s throw a week’s journey ten cents’ worth thirty days’ notice

The singular and the plural possessive of compound nouns is formed by adding the sign of the
apostrophe to the end of the compound noun:

sister-in-law sister-in-law’s
editor-in-chief editor-in-chief’s
maid of honour made of honour’s

Joint ownership is shown by making the last word in the series possessive. Individual ownership
is shown by making both parts possessive:

Baker and Johnson’s factory. (joint ownership)

Baker’s and Johnson’s factories. (individual ownership)
Asia and China’s problems. (common to both)
Asia’s and China’s problems. (separate problems)

THE POSSESSIVE CASE OF PRONOUNS

The indefinite pronouns do not have special forms to show case. It is formed in the same way as
the possessive case of nouns. They are seldom used in plural. Two of the indefinite pronouns,
one and other, have the plural forms ones and others.

everyone’s opinion one’s relatives someone’s hat somebody’s car

anybody’s guess another’s choice

The personal pronouns and the pronoun who have special forms to show the possessive case –
my, mine, our, ours, your, yours, her, hers, his, its, their, theirs and whose.
Fill in the blanks with the possessive form of the pronouns:

1. The officer examined __________ (everybody) baggage.

2. That book on the table is _________ (I).
3. _________ (Who) car did you buy?
4. Every ship has _______ (it) officers.
5. __________ (You) camera is here with my trunk.
6. I could not listen to __________ (he) speech.
7. Mary found __________ (she) notebook in my locker.
8. __________(Somebody) car was parked in front of our house.
9. _________ (One) relatives are often too inquisitive.
10. Is that beautiful new hat __________ (you)?
11. That is _________ (I) typewriter.
12. You should share _________ (another) joys.
13. __________ (She) diamonds are more beautiful than __________ (I).
14. The jury rendered _________ (it) verdict yesterday.
15. Is this beautiful travelling bag __________ (you)?