What is a Possessive Noun?
A possessive noun is a noun that shows ownership or possession. It can be used to indicate that something belongs to someone or something. For example, “Sarah’s book” or “the dog’s tail.”
There are two forms of possessive nouns: singular and plural. Singular possessive nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe and an “s” to the end of the noun. Plural possessive nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe after the “s” at the end of the noun.
How to Use Possessive Nouns Correctly
To use possessive nouns correctly, you should keep the following tips in mind:
- Use an apostrophe and an “s” to form singular possessive nouns. Example: “The cat’s toy.”
- Use an apostrophe after the “s” to form plural possessive nouns. Example: “The dogs’ toys.”
- Use possessive nouns to show ownership or possession. Example: “My sister’s car.”
- Avoid using possessive nouns after pronouns such as “his,” “hers,” or “its.” Example: “The car lost its wheel.”
- Use possessive nouns to avoid ambiguity. Example: “The book of the professor” can be rewritten as “The professor’s book” to avoid ambiguity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using possessive nouns:
- Using apostrophes with plurals. Incorrect: “The cat’s are sleeping.” Correct: “The cats are sleeping.”
- Confusing its and it’s. Incorrect: “Its going to rain today.” Correct: “It’s going to rain today.”
- Using an apostrophe before an “s” in a plural noun. Incorrect: “The dog’s chased the ball.” Correct: “The dogs chased the ball.”
