Apostrophe Rules for Possessives

1. Use an apostrophe +"s" ('s) to show that one person/thing owns or is a member of something.
2. Use an apostrophe after the "s" (s') at the end of a plural noun to show possession.
3. If a plural noun doesn't end in "s," add an apostrophe + "s" to create the possessive form.

Is it Chris's or Chris '?

Which is correct, Chris's chair or Chris' chair? James's car or James' car? Actually, both ways are correct. If a proper name ends with an s, you can add just the apostrophe or an apostrophe and an s.

Do you put the apostrophe before or after the S?

Generally, if the noun is singular, the apostrophe goes before the s. The witch's broom. If the noun is plural, the apostrophe goes after the s: The witches' brooms. However, if the word is pluralized without an s, the apostrophe comes before the s: He entered the men's room with an armload of children's clothing.

Why do you put an apostrophe after the s?

The general rule is that the possessive of a singular noun is formed by adding an apostrophe and s, whether the singular noun ends in s or not. The possessive of a plural noun is formed by adding only an apostrophe when the noun ends in s, and by adding both an apostrophe and s when it ends in a letter other than s.

How do you add an apostrophe to a word that ends in s?

Only when the word is plural and possessive do you place the apostrophe outside the "s." But many students and many lawyers I teach do not follow this rule. Their practice is that any time a words ends in "s," you put an apostrophe after the "s" to make it possessive.

Apostrophes for Possession | Possessive Nouns | EasyTeaching

Is it Thomas or Thomas's?

Whether you use Thomas's or Thomas' depends on the style guide that you follow. Both Thomas's or Thomas' are correct. There are several different style guides for writing the English language. When you follow the rules of The Associated Press Stylebook, Thomas' is correct.

Is it Williams's or Williams?

The Associated Press Stylebook recommends just an apostrophe: It's Tennessee Williams' best play. But most other authorities endorse 's: Williams's. Williams's means “belonging to Williams.” It is not the plural form of Williams. People's names become plural the way most other words do.

What are the 5 examples of apostrophe?

A few apostrophe examples below:

• I am – I'm: “I'm planning to write a book someday.”
• You are – You're: “You're going to have a lot of fun with your new puppy.”
• She is – She's: “She's always on time.”
• It is – It's: “I can't believe it's snowing again.”
• Do not – Don't: “I don't like anchovies.”

How do you use apostrophes correctly?

Apostrophes are used to indicate that something belongs to something or someone else. To indicate possession with a singular noun, add 's at the end of the word. This also applies to names and other proper nouns.

How do you use possessive s?

The possessive 's always comes after a noun. When something belongs to more than one person and we give a list of names, we put 's on the last name. With regular plural nouns we use ' not 's. They're my parents' friends.

How do you show possession with apostrophe?

Apostrophes to show possession are used to create possessive nouns, which show 'ownership' or 'possession' of something. We use apostrophes to show possession by adding either the apostrophe + 's' ('s) or just an apostrophe to the end of the noun showing possession.

Does the apostrophe go after the s in students?

3. In plural possessive terms, place the apostrophe after the "s." This will indicate to the reader that more than one person or thing owns the thing possessed. Incorrect: The students success was largely attributable to their hard work and dedication.

How do you show possession?

To make two nouns show separate possession, add an apostrophe and an "s" after each possessive noun. Ex: Kari's and Lynn's bikes are in excellent condition. (They each have a bike.) To make two nouns show joint possession, add an apostrophe only to the second unit.

Is it Dennis's or Dennis?

For nouns ending with an unpronounced s, add apostrophe‐s. For singular common nouns ending in s or an s sound followed by words beginning with s, add an apostrophe if the term ends in s; otherwise, add apostrophe‐s. If a company or group name ends with an apostrophe‐s, use as is (don't add or change anything).

Is it Alexis's or Alexis?

According to the Chicago Manual of Style (which folks in my profession refer to as the Bible of Book Publishing), the rule is the same as any other singular possessive. You write her name with possession just like you say it: Alexis's.

Is it Chris or Chris's birthday?

The truth is that Chris takes just an apostrophe only if you follow the rules in the The Associated Press Stylebook. In other style guides, Chris takes an apostrophe and an s: Chris's.

How do you pluralize s?

Use "s" or "es" to show plurality in count nouns. You need to show plurality when you are talking about more than one or are speaking in general terms about all of the items in one category. This person is reading more than one book. Therefore, it is necessary to add "s" to the end of the word "books."

How do you pluralize a name that ends in s?

If the name ends in s, z, ch, or sh, you need to add es. That means the Davis family becomes the Davises, the French family becomes the Frenches, the Hernandez family becomes the Hernandezes, and the Glaves family becomes the Glaveses.

What are the 2 types of apostrophes?

There are two different kinds of apostrophes: smart and straight.

What is apostrophe mark with example?

Apostrophes can be used to indicate possessives (for example, “my dad's recipe.”) Apostrophes can be used to form contractions, where they indicate the omission of characters (for example, “don't” instead of “do not.”)

Which is correct Jones or Jones's?

According to English style guides, singular possessives are formed with –'s and plurals with just an apostrophe, so the possessive of the singular Jones is Jones's and of the plural Joneses is Joneses'.

Do you say the Smiths or the Smith's?

The plural of Smith is Smiths. NOT Smith's. And if for some reason the Smiths wanted to use the possessive, they would have to use the plural possessive. To say the Smith's live here makes no sense.

Is it Morris's or Morris?

To form the possessive of a singular noun that ends in an “s” sound, be guided by the way you pronounce the word: (a) if a new syllable is formed in the pronunciation of the possessive, add an apostrophe plus “s,” e.g., Mr. Morris's eyeglasses; Miss Knox's hairdo; Mrs.

Is Davis's correct?

According to Grammarbook.com, the nerds of the world will argue heatedly on the subject for eternity, but the most roundly accepted rule is to include the apostrophe, along with an extra "S." (Davis's rather than Davis').