Forming Forming Possessive NounsPossessive Nouns

How to use an How to use an apostrophe apostrophe correctly!correctly!

What is a possessive What is a possessive noun?noun?

A possessive A possessive noun shows noun shows ownership of ownership of another noun.another noun.

Can be either Can be either singular or singular or plural.plural.

The lady’s jacket is a beautiful indigo.

Making Singular Nouns Making Singular Nouns PossessivePossessive

To make a singular To make a singular noun a possessive noun a possessive noun, all you do is noun, all you do is addadd

‘‘ss* Make sure that the * Make sure that the

word is showing word is showing ownership of ownership of something else!!something else!!

The leader’s compass told the group where to go on their hike.

Making a Plural Noun Making a Plural Noun PossessivePossessive If the plural If the plural

noun DOES NOT noun DOES NOT end with an s end with an s

childrenchildrensheepsheep

womenwomenmenmen

Add ‘sAdd ‘sto the endto the end

the the children’schildren’s laughterlaughter

the the sheep’ssheep’s hooves hoovesthe the women’swomen’s hats hatsthe the men’smen’s neckties neckties

Making a Plural Noun Making a Plural Noun PossessivePossessive

Part 2Part 2 If the plural If the plural noun ends noun ends with the letter with the letter ss

Add justAdd justan apostrophe an apostrophe after the finalafter the final

ss

Many skiers Many skiers wear wear goggles.goggles.

The The skiers’skiers’ goggles are goggles are sturdy.sturdy.

To sum it up…To sum it up…

Always addAlways add‘‘ss

UNLESS it is a plural UNLESS it is a plural noun that already noun that already

ends with s !!ends with s !!

Plural or Possessive???Plural or Possessive???Possessive Possessive

nouns contain nouns contain apostrophes.apostrophes.

Ordinary plural Ordinary plural nouns DO nouns DO NOT.NOT.

Singular Possessive:Singular Possessive:Where is the Where is the athlete’sathlete’s school? school?

Plural Possessive:Plural Possessive:Where is the Where is the athletes’athletes’ school? school?

Ordinary Plural Noun:Ordinary Plural Noun:Where are the Where are the athletesathletes??

Your turn to try it!Your turn to try it!

The (sport) history The (sport) history began thousands of began thousands of years ago.years ago.

The The sport’ssport’s history history began thousands of began thousands of years ago.years ago.

Each (person) skis Each (person) skis were made of were made of animal bone.animal bone.

Each Each person’sperson’s skis skis were made of were made of animal bone.animal bone.

Leather straps held Leather straps held the (skier) boots to the (skier) boots to the skis.the skis.

Leather straps held Leather straps held the the skier’sskier’s boots to boots to the skis.the skis.

Many (skiers) toe Many (skiers) toe straps came loose.straps came loose.

Many Many skiers’skiers’ toe toe straps came loose.straps came loose.

One (historian) One (historian) discoveries include discoveries include skis from Sweden.skis from Sweden.

One One historian’shistorian’s discoveries include discoveries include skis from Sweden.skis from Sweden.

The (skis) ages The (skis) ages ranged from 2,500 ranged from 2,500 to 5,000 years.to 5,000 years.

The The skis’skis’ ages ages ranged from 2,500 ranged from 2,500 to 5,000 years.to 5,000 years.

In Norway a (soldier) In Norway a (soldier) means of travel means of travel was skiing.was skiing.

In Norway a In Norway a soldier’ssoldier’s means of travel means of travel was skiing.was skiing.

A (Norwegian) skis A (Norwegian) skis were for both cross-were for both cross-country and country and downhill skiing.downhill skiing.

A A Norwegian’sNorwegian’s skis skis were for both cross-were for both cross-country and country and downhill skiing.downhill skiing.

The (men) cross-The (men) cross-country speed country speed record was broken record was broken by Bill Koch.by Bill Koch.

The The men’smen’s cross- cross-country speed country speed record was broken record was broken by Bill Koch.by Bill Koch.

(Koch) average (Koch) average speed was 15.57 speed was 15.57 miles per hour.miles per hour.

Koch’sKoch’s average average speed was 15.57 speed was 15.57 miles per hour.miles per hour.

Copy and complete the Copy and complete the chart.chart.

Singular Singular nounnoun

Singular Singular possessivpossessivee

Plural Plural nounnoun

Plural Plural possessivpossessivee

womanwomanMs. SmithMs. Smith

childchildseniorseniorfamilyfamily