Group Work

Get in your groups... Write a sentence using proper possessive case

with an ”of” phrase. Write a sentence using the singular noun form of

possessive case. Write a sentence using a singular or plural noun

ending in S. Write a sentence using individual or joint

ownership.

Quiz Answers

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SsmgSS8Q_IuGe6HXO4QDgeiGF1v5N5XhiyRs80MK6wo/viewform

Write a sentence using proper possessive case with an ”of” phrase.

Apostrophes

Apostrophes form the possessive case, indicate omissions in contractions, and, in some cases, form plurals.

Remember back to the brief discussion of the possessive case from a few weeks ago.

Possessive case indicates ownership.

In English, there are two ways to do this:

A phrase with the word ”of” included

The hands of the clock

or...

With an apostrophe

The clock's hands

Possessive Case!

Singular nouns & certain forms of pronouns To form possessive case, add an 's ”The Monk's Tale” is one of Chaucer's

Canterbury Tales. When we would arrive was anyone's guess.

Pause!

Pause. Take a breath. Questions?

Write a sentence using the singular noun form of possessive case.

Singular Nouns Ending In -s

In most cases, to form the possessive case of singular nouns that end in -s you will add 's

Reading Henry James's The Ambassadors was not Maris's idea of fun.

But... Some singular nouns that end in -s sound

awkward when pronouncing the possessive ending as a separate syllable.

Singular Nouns Ending In -s

When this happens, grammarians have deemed it acceptable to just add an apostrophe.

Borges' short stories Aristophanes' play Generally, use your best judgment and be

consistent.

Titles With -'s Already...

If title already has 's, use a phrase to form possessive case

Awkward: A Midsummer Night's Dream's staging presents a challenge.

Revised: The staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream presents a challenge.

Write a sentence using a singular or plural noun ending in S.

Plural Nouns Ending In -s

Already plural nouns get an ' when already ending in -s

The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature is available online.

Compound nouns also get an -s He accepted the secretary of state's resignation

under protest.

Pause!

Pause. Take a breath. Questions?

Write a sentence using individual or joint ownership.

Two or More Items

This one is tricky! To indicate individual ownership of two or more

items, add -'s to each item Ernest Hemingway's and Gertrude Stein's writing

styles have some similarities. To indicate joint ownership, add -'s only to the

last item. Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas include The

Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado.

Finally...

It's is NOT a possesive. You are looking for its. Generally, be careful with contractions.

Look For Clues...

Look for other words (Some, etc)

Supplemental Links

Wondering what do to with inanimate objects? Granmar Girl has your answer. http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/possession-inanimate-objects.aspx