Possessive Form of Nouns

Synonyms and Antonyms Index | Previous Page

Possessive Form of Nouns :



We often use the possessive to say that someone has something or that something belongs to someone. We also use it with other meanings.

1. Saroja's bag = the bag that belongs to Saroja
2. Mary’s sister = the sister that Mary has
3. Mr. Ali Khan’s flat = the flat where Mr. Ali Khan lives
4. the boys* bedroom = the bedroom where the boys sleep
5. Sunil’s school = the school where Sunil goes
6. a children’s playground = a playground for children
7. a bird’s egg = an egg laid by a bird

The possessive is mainly used with people and animals.

We put an apostrophe and s (‘s) after singular nouns.

1. the teacher’s desk
2. Anil’s cap

We put just an apostrophe after plural nouns ending in S / ES.

1. teachers’ meeting
2. girls' school

We put ‘S after plural nouns which do not end in S / ES.

1. children’s stories
2. women’s waiting room

With classical names ending in S we add only the apostrophe.

1. Archimedes’ Law
2. Pythagoras’ Theorem
3. Euripides’ plays
4. Socrates’ ideas

With other names ending in S we may add (’s) or the apostrophe alone.

1. Mr. Thomas’s house or Mr. Thomas’ house
2. Yeats’s poems or Yeats’poems

We use the possessive form mainly with people and animals.

The possessive form is also used….

1. with countries

1. India’s military forces

2. with ships and boats

1. the ship’s crew

3. in phrases of time

1. yesterday’s paper
2. today’s menu
3. three weeks’ holiday
4. 15 minutes’ walk

4. in a few expressions

1. a stone’s throw from here (= not far from here)
2. at the water’s edge
3. journey’s end
4. for heaven’s sake
5. for goodness’ sake

With other things the construction with OF, not the possessive, is used.

1. the legs of the table
2. the roof of the house

Note that in compounds and phrases the S is added to the last word.

1. My brother-in-law's flute
2. The President of Pakistan’s visit

The possessive is often used without a following noun when we talk about shops, churches, houses, schools, etc.

The Possessive Forms Of The Nouns Can Thus Be Formed In A Simple Way.

Possessive Form of Nouns

School Essays

Moral Stories

Akbar and Birbal Stories

Possessive Form of Nouns To HOME PAGE