Apostrophe PossessionSet 1
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between "its" and "it's"?
"Its" is the possessive form of "it," indicating ownership, while "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has." For example, "The cat licked its paw" uses the possessive form, while "It's raining outside" uses the contraction.
How do you form the possessive of a singular noun ending in 's'?
To form the possessive of a singular noun ending in 's', add an apostrophe followed by an 's' (e.g., "James's book"). However, some style guides suggest adding only an apostrophe (e.g., "James' book") to avoid awkward pronunciation.
How do you form the possessive of a plural noun?
To form the possessive of a plural noun, add an apostrophe after the 's' if the noun already ends in 's' (e.g., "cats' toys"). If the plural noun does not end in 's', add an apostrophe followed by an 's' (e.g., "children's books").
What is the correct way to use apostrophes in compound subjects?
In compound subjects, the apostrophe for possession is placed after the last noun if both nouns jointly own the object (e.g., "John and Mary's house"). If each noun owns a separate object, the apostrophe is placed after each noun (e.g., "John's and Mary's cars").
How do you use apostrophes for possession with singular nouns?
To indicate possession with a singular noun, add an apostrophe followed by an 's' (e.g., "the dog's bone"). This rule applies regardless of whether the noun ends in 's' or not, though some style guides may vary for nouns ending in 's'.