What arepossessive nouns?

Grammar Toolkit

Possessive nouns

Sophia

Grammar Toolkit

Possessive nouns

A possessive noun names the owner of something.

Sophia’s skateboard

Sophia owns the skateboard.

the lizard’s tailEmily’s problemJames’s coach

Grammar Toolkit

Possessive nouns

To make a singular noun show possession, add an apostrophe (’) and s.

To make a plural noun show possession, also add an apostrophe (’) and s. But if the plural

already ends in s, just add an apostrophe.the children’s roomthe ladies’ carscrocodiles’ eyes

the tail of the lizardEmily has a problemthe coach of James

the room belonging to the childrenthe cars owned by the ladiesthe eyes of the crocodiles

Grammar Toolkit

Possessive nouns

Where should apostrophes go to make the nouns possessive?

The mechanics toolbox is very heavy.

The womens work was applauded.

The teachers offices had great views.

Finns little brother is called Jake.

All the runners times were recorded.

The bosss desk was neat and tidy.

mechanic’swomen’s

teachers’Finn’s

runners’

boss’s

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Possessive nouns

If two people own the same thing, add an apostrophe and s for only the second person.

Jack and Jill’s big adventure Jack and Jill share the adventure.

If the two people don’t own the same thing, add an apostrophe and s for both people.

Jack’s and Jill’s shoesJack and Jill obviously own different shoes.

Grammar Toolkit

Possessive nouns

• A noun is a naming word. A possessive noun names the owner of something.

• Possessive nouns are formed by adding either an apostrophe (’) and s or just an apostrophe.

• In the following sentence, the possessive nouns are red. The children’s room was messy and Mum’s patience was running out.

Grammar Toolkit

Possessive nouns

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