Rules for Apostrophes(Possessive)

Possession: The Simple FactsThe tool kit couldn’t be simpler. All you

need to make almost any word possessive is an apostrophe and the letter s. You add both of them together (‘s) or just the apostrophe alone, depending on the circumstances.

Exceptions to the rules Jesus’ parables Moses’ tablets Achilles’ heel

Joint Ownership These are Lenny and Harold’s props. (The

props belong to both Lenny and Harold.) These are Lenny’s and Harold’s props.

(Both Lenny and Harold have their own props.)

Lenny and Harold hands are freezing!

Adam and Debbie marriage is super.

Tony and Tina teeth are yellow.

Possession: The Simple Facts1. If the word is singular, always add ‘s.

The waiter spilled red wine on Demi’s dress, which came from Kansas’s finest shop.

The dress’s skirt, which resembled a tutu from one of Degas’s paintings, was ruined.

Bruce’s attitude was philosophical because he had been reading Camus’s essays.

Possession: The Simple Facts2. If the word is plural and doesn’t already

end in s, add ‘s: The children’s menu was a rip-off, and

the men’s room was painted fuchsia.

Possession: The Simple Facts3. If the word is plural and ends in s, add

just the apostrophe: The Willises’ car was stolen by the

valet parking attendant. The cops’ attitude was cruel. The victims’ evening was now

demolished.

Type of word

Example ending in an “s”

Example not ending in an “s”

Singular dress DemiPlural cops children

This is CONFUSING!! Mr. and Mrs. Jones have a new car. The Joneses have a new car. Mr. Jones’s car is new. The Joneses’ car is new.

  One person

More than one person

Plural    Possessive

   

Possession: The Simple Facts4. The comma or period goes after the

apostrophe: The idea was the girls’, or maybe the

boys’, but at any rate the responsibility was their parents’.

Possession: The Simple Facts5. If the name ends in s adds es’ Willis Willises’

6. For a name that doesn’t end is an s, add s’

Babbit Babbits’

Apostrophe: The Simple Facts7. Add ‘s to make plurals of numbers and

letters, including abbreviations: Libby, the daughter of two CPA’s, was

born in the 1940’s, and earned all B’s at Swarthmore.

Practice This hollow tree is an owl home. Preserving history is Prince Charles

personal crusade. All of the boxes contents are leaking

out. The actors rights were spelled out in

their contracts. Has everyone test been graded?