Possessive Nouns

Possessive Nouns
Objectives
Distinguish between possessive nouns and noun plurals. Follow five steps in using the apostrophe to show ownership. Use apostrophe construction for animate nouns.
Ch. 5 - 2

Possessive Nouns
Distinguish between descriptive nouns and possessive nouns. Pluralize compound nouns, combined ownership nouns, organization names, and abbreviations. Understand incomplete possessives. Avoid awkward possessives.
Ch. 5 - 3

Possessive Nouns
Determine whether an extra syllable can be pronounced in forming a possessive. Make proper nouns possessive.

Ch. 5 - 4

Showing Possession
Apostrophes are used to show the following:
Ownership Origin Authorship Measurement Wendys book Dr. Mosss prescription Hemingways works ten years experience

Ch. 5 - 5

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

1. Look for possessive construction. Usually two nouns appear together.
Have you seen Wendys book?

Ch. 5 - 6

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

1. Look for possessive construction. Usually two nouns appear together.
Have you seen Wendys book?

Ch. 5 - 7

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

1. Look for possessive construction. Usually two nouns appear together.
Have you seen Wendys book? Hemingways works are highly regarded.

Ch. 5 - 8

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

1. Look for possessive construction. Usually two nouns appear together.
Have you seen Wendys book? Hemingways works are highly regarded.

Ch. 5 - 9

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

1. Look for possessive construction. Usually two nouns appear together.
Have you seen Wendys book? Hemingways works are highly regarded. Brad has ten years experience.

Ch. 5 - 10

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

1. Look for possessive construction. Usually two nouns appear together.
Have you seen Wendys book? Hemingways works are highly regarded. Brad has ten years experience.

Ch. 5 - 11

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

2. Reverse the nouns.
Wendy(s) book =

Ch. 5 - 12

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

2. Reverse the nouns.
Wendy(s) book = book of Wendy

Ch. 5 - 13

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

2. Reverse the nouns.
Wendy(s) book = book of Wendy Hemingway(s) works =

Ch. 5 - 14

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

2. Reverse the nouns.
Wendy(s) book = book of Wendy Hemingway(s) works = works of Hemingway

Ch. 5 - 15

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

2. Reverse the nouns.
Wendy(s) book = book of Wendy Hemingway(s) works = works of Hemingway ten years experience =

Ch. 5 - 16

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

2. Reverse the nouns.
Wendy(s) book = book of Wendy Hemingway(s) works = works of Hemingway ten years experience = experience of ten years

Ch. 5 - 17

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

3. Examine the ownership word.
Wendy (does not end in an s sound) Hemingway (does not end in an s sound) years (does end in an s sound).

Ch. 5 - 18

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

4. If the ownership word does not end in an s sound, add an apostrophe and an s.
Wendys book
Hemingways works

Ch. 5 - 19

Five Steps in Apostrophe Use

5. If the ownership word does end in an s sound, usually add an apostrophe only.
ten years experience three employees wages

Ch. 5 - 20

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
Name the two nouns together. Reverse the nouns. Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 21

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
company(s) workers Reverse the nouns. Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 22

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
company(s) workers Reverse the nouns. Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 23

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
company(s) workers workers of the company Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 24

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
company(s) workers workers of the company Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 25

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
company(s) workers workers of the company company Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 26

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
company(s) workers workers of the company company Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 27

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
company(s) workers workers of the company company ends in y Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 28

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
company(s) workers workers of the company company ends in y Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 29

Check your skill . . .

That company(s) workers rely heavily on e-mail.
company(s) workers workers of the company company ends in y add s [companys]

Ch. 5 - 30

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
Name the two nouns together. Reverse the nouns. Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 31

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
administrators salaries Reverse the nouns. Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 32

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
administrators salaries Reverse the nouns. Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 33

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
administrators salaries salaries of administrators Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 34

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
administrators salaries salaries of administrators Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 35

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
administrators salaries salaries of administrators administrators Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 36

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
administrators salaries salaries of administrators administrators Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 37

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
administrators salaries salaries of administrators administrators administrators Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 38

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
administrators salaries salaries of administrators administrators administrators Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 39

Check your skill . . .

All administrators salaries will be reduced.
administrators salaries salaries of administrators administrators administrators add an apostrophe [administrators]

Ch. 5 - 40

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
Name the two nouns together. Reverse the nouns. Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 41

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
months interest Reverse the nouns. Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 42

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
months interest Reverse the nouns. Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 43

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
months interest interest of months Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 44

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
months interest interest of months Examine the ownership word. Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 45

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
months interest interest of months (four) months Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 46

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
months interest interest of months (four) months Does the word end in an s sound? Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 47

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
months interest interest of months (four) months (four) months Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 48

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
months interest interest of months (four) months (four) months Should an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe be added?
Ch. 5 - 49

Check your skill . . .

A total of four months interest will be credited.
months interest interest of months (four) months (four) months add an apostrophe

[months]

Ch. 5 - 50

Problem Possessives
Animate vs. Inanimate Nouns
Possessive constructions using apostrophes are usually reserved for people and animals. Prepositional phrases or simple adjectives are used for other nouns.

Ch. 5 - 51

Check your skill . . .

Which of the following possessives should be expressed with a prepositional phrase?
the girls shoes the desks legs an accountants ledgers

Ch. 5 - 52

Check your skill . . .

Which of the following possessives should be expressed with a prepositional phrase?
the girls shoes the desks legs = legs of the desk an accountants ledgers

Ch. 5 - 53

Problem Possessives
Descriptive vs. Possessive Nouns
When nouns only describe or identify, apostrophes are not used.
Sales Division (not Sales Division) electronics industry (not electronics industry)

United States Army (not United States Army)

Ch. 5 - 54

Problem Possessives
Compound Nouns
The final element of a compound should show the possessive.
mother-in-laws car editor in chiefs suggestions

Ch. 5 - 55

Problem Possessives
Incomplete Possessives
Use an apostrophe when the second noun in a possessive construction is unstated but is understood.
The party is at Shelbys. Darrens exam is earlier than Robertos. What is implied in each of these sentences?

Ch. 5 - 56

Problem Possessives
Incomplete Possessives
Use an apostrophe when the second noun in a possessive construction is unstated but is understood.
The party is at Shelbys house. Darrens exam is earlier than Robertos.

Ch. 5 - 57

Problem Possessives
Incomplete Possessives
Use an apostrophe when the second noun in a possessive construction is unstated but is understood.
The party is at Shelbys house. Darrens exam is earlier than Robertos.

Ch. 5 - 58

Problem Possessives
Incomplete Possessives
Use an apostrophe when the second noun in a possessive construction is unstated but is understood.
The party is at Shelbys house. Darrens exam is earlier than Robertos exam.

Ch. 5 - 59

Problem Possessives
Separate Ownership
When two names express separate ownership, make both names possessive.
mens and womens locker rooms Davids and Mikes cars

Ch. 5 - 60

Problem Possessives
Combined Ownership
When two names express combined ownership, make only the second name possessive.
Carol and Cheryls apartment Husband and wifes inheritance

Ch. 5 - 61

Problem Possessives
Names of Organizations
Organizations with possessives in their names may or may not use apostrophes. Follow the style they use.
Dominos Pizza, Inc. Malibu Homeowners Association

Ch. 5 - 62

Problem Possessives
Abbreviations
Make abbreviations possessive by following the same guidelines as for animate nouns (people and animals).
CPAs convention Barker Bros. sale

Ch. 5 - 63

Problem Possessives
Awkward Possessives
Reword awkward expressions by using prepositional phrases.
Awkward: Improved: the chief of polices pension the pension of the chief of police

Ch. 5 - 64

Problem Possessives
Awkward: My friends fathers business Improved: the business of my friends father Awkward: Mr. Saltzman, my attorneys, advice Improved: the advice of my attorney, Mr. Saltzman

Ch. 5 - 65

Adding to the Five Steps

Review the steps for placing the apostrophe in possessive constructions.
1. Look for possessive construction. 2. Reverse the nouns and use a prepositional phrase. 3. Examine the ownership word.

Ch. 5 - 66

Adding to the Five Steps

4. If the ownership word does not end in an s sound, add an apostrophe and an s. 5. If the ownership word does end in an s sound, usually add an apostrophe only.

Ch. 5 - 67

Adding to the Five Steps

Addition
If an extra syllable can be easily pronounced in the possessive form, add an apostrophe and an s.

Ch. 5 - 68

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Can Be Easily Pronounced
tests for the class

Ch. 5 - 69

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Can Be Easily Pronounced
tests for the class the classs tests

Ch. 5 - 70

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Can Be Easily Pronounced
tests for the class the motorcycle of Les the classs tests

Ch. 5 - 71

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Can Be Easily Pronounced
tests for the class the motorcycle of Les the classs tests Less motorcycle

Ch. 5 - 72

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Can Be Easily Pronounced
tests for the class the motorcycle of Les the table of the waitress the classs tests Less motorcycle

Ch. 5 - 73

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Can Be Easily Pronounced
tests for the class the motorcycle of Les the table of the waitress the classs tests Less motorcycle the waitresss table

Ch. 5 - 74

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Can Be Easily Pronounced
tests for the class the motorcycle of Les the table of the waitress the job of Mrs. Betz the classs tests Less motorcycle the waitresss table

Ch. 5 - 75

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Can Be Easily Pronounced
tests for the class the motorcycle of Les the table of the waitress the job of Mrs. Betz the classs tests Less motorcycle the waitresss table Mrs. Betzs job

Ch. 5 - 76

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Cannot Be Easily Pronounced
games of the boys

Ch. 5 - 77

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Cannot Be Easily Pronounced
games of the boys boys games

Ch. 5 - 78

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Cannot Be Easily Pronounced
games of the boys car of the Joneses boys games

Ch. 5 - 79

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Cannot Be Easily Pronounced
games of the boys car of the Joneses boys games the Joneses car

Ch. 5 - 80

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Cannot Be Easily Pronounced
games of the boys boys games car of the Joneses the Joneses car offices of managers

Ch. 5 - 81

Adding to the Five Steps

Extra Syllable Cannot Be Easily Pronounced
games of the boys boys games car of the Joneses the Joneses car offices of managers managers offices

Ch. 5 - 82

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
1. testimony of the witness

Ch. 5 - 83

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
1. testimony of the witness witnesss testimony

Ch. 5 - 84

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
2. books of the students

Ch. 5 - 85

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
2. books of the students students books

Ch. 5 - 86

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
3. contracts of both companies

Ch. 5 - 87

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
3. contracts of both companies companies contracts

Ch. 5 - 88

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
4. role of the actress

Ch. 5 - 89

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
4. role of the actress actresss role

Ch. 5 - 90

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
5. roles of the actresses

Ch. 5 - 91

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
5. roles of the actresses actresses roles

Ch. 5 - 92

Making Singular Proper Nouns Possessive

To make singular proper nouns ending in an s sound possessive, choose a stylebut be consistent.
Traditional Style
Joness Barness Russs Gomezs

Popular Style
Jones Barnes Russ Gomez
Ch. 5 - 93

Making Plural Proper Nouns Possessive

To make plural proper nouns possessive, add only an apostrophe.
Plural Proper Noun Possessive Form

the Joneses the Barneses the Lopezes

the Joneses car the Barneses car the Lopezes car

Ch. 5 - 94

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
1. the car of Mrs. Metz
Traditional Popular

Ch. 5 - 95

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
1. the car of Mrs. Metz
Traditional Mrs. Metzs car Popular Mrs. Metz car

Ch. 5 - 96

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
2. the car of the Metzes
Traditional Popular

Ch. 5 - 97

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
2. the car of the Metzes
Traditional the Metzes car Popular the Metzes car

Ch. 5 - 98

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
3. the car of Mr. Williams
Traditional Popular

Ch. 5 - 99

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
3. the car of Mr. Williams
Traditional Mr. Williamss car Popular Mr. Williams car

Ch. 5 - 100

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
4. the car of Mrs. Flores
Traditional Popular

Ch. 5 - 101

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
4. the car of Mrs. Flores
Traditional Mrs. Floress car Popular Mrs. Flores car

Ch. 5 - 102

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
5. the car of the Harrises
Traditional Popular

Ch. 5 - 103

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
5. the car of the Harrises
Traditional the Harrises car Popular the Harrises car

Ch. 5 - 104

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
6. the car of Russ
Traditional Popular

Ch. 5 - 105

Check your skill . . .

Change the following prepositional phrase to a possessive form.
6. the car of Russ
Traditional Russs car Popular Russ car

Ch. 5 - 106

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
1. At a recent stockholders meeting, the president of the company praised all 300 employees.

Ch. 5 - 107

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
1. At a recent stockholders meeting, the president of the company praised all 300 employees.

Ch. 5 - 108

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
1. At a recent stockholders meeting, the president of the company praised all 300 employees.

Ch. 5 - 109

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
2. After only one years training, the pilot received his instrument rating.

Ch. 5 - 110

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
2. After only one years training, the pilot received his instrument rating.

Ch. 5 - 111

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
2. After only one years training, the pilot received his instrument rating.

Ch. 5 - 112

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
3. A total of ten companies in the survey area indicated that they would be hiring new employees.

Ch. 5 - 113

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
3. A total of ten companies in the survey area indicated that they would be hiring new employees. Correct

Ch. 5 - 114

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
4. Product updates on disks are now distributed to our sales staff.

Ch. 5 - 115

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
4. Product updates on disks are now distributed to our sales staff. Correct

Ch. 5 - 116

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
5. Mikes and Sonias apartment is near the shopping center.

Ch. 5 - 117

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
5. Mikes and Sonias apartment is near the shopping center.

Ch. 5 - 118

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
5. Mike and Sonias apartment is near the shopping center.

Ch. 5 - 119

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
6. We have received only two complaints from customers in the past six months.

Ch. 5 - 120

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
6. We have received only two complaints from customers in the past six months. Correct

Ch. 5 - 121

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
7. The meeting will be held at Kevins home or at Jennifers.

Ch. 5 - 122

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
7. The meeting will be held at Kevins home or at Jennifers.

Ch. 5 - 123

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
7. The meeting will be held at Kevins home or at Jennifers.

Ch. 5 - 124

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
8. My boss office was moved to make way for the Electronics Department.

Ch. 5 - 125

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
8. My boss office was moved to make way for the Electronics Department.

Ch. 5 - 126

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
8. My bosss office was moved to make way for the Electronics Department.

Ch. 5 - 127

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
9. The contract requires my father-in-laws signature.

Ch. 5 - 128

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
9. The contract requires my father-in-laws signature.

Ch. 5 - 129

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
9. The contract requires my father-in-laws signature.

Ch. 5 - 130

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
10. All candidates rsums were received well before the deadline.

Ch. 5 - 131

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
10. All candidates rsums were received well before the deadline.

Ch. 5 - 132

Chapter 5 - Quiz
Correct any errors. The sentence may already be correct.
10. All candidates rsums were received well before the deadline.

Ch. 5 - 133

END