Grammar: Possessive Nouns & Apostrophes
A2 Lesson 18: Showing Ownership
Showing Ownership with Apostrophes
In English, when we want to show that something belongs to someone or something, we usually add an apostrophe + s. This is called the possessive form.
How to Use the Possessive Apostrophe
| Type of Noun | The Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Noun (one person/thing) | Add 's |
The book of Dara → Dara's book. |
| Plural Noun (ends in -s) | Add only ' |
The car of my parents → My parents' car. |
| Irregular Plural Noun (no -s) | Add 's |
The bags of the women → The women's bags. |
A Common Mistake: "its" vs. "it's"
This is a very common point of confusion for learners. It is important to remember the difference.
its (Possessive)
Shows that something belongs to "it". No apostrophe.
Example: The hotel is famous for its beautiful garden.
it's (Contraction)
A short form of "it is" or "it has". Always has an apostrophe.
Example: It's a beautiful day for a tour! (It is a beautiful day...)
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise: Find and Correct the Mistake
Read each sentence, find the one mistake, and write the correction.
- My brothers name is Vuthy.
→ brother's - The two studentss' books are on the table.
→ students' - Its not very far to the market.
→ It's - Those are the childrens' toys.
→ children's - The cat is washing it's face.
→ its
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Who Owns It?
Look around your home. Write three sentences about things that belong to your family or friends. Use the possessive apostrophe correctly.
Example: My mother's favourite chair is in the living room.
Key Vocabulary
- Possession The state of having or owning something.
- Apostrophe The punctuation mark ( ' ) used to show possession or to indicate the omission of letters (in contractions).
- Contraction A shortened form of a word or group of words, with the missing letters usually marked by an apostrophe (e.g., "it's" for "it is").