A Possessive Noun Shows Ownership. To Make A Plural Noun That Ends In 's' Possessive, Add An Apostrophe After The 's' (s'): Babies'. To Make A Plural Noun That Does Not End In 's' Possessive, Add An Apostrophe + 's': People's Voices.Rewrite Each

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Understanding Possessive Nouns

In the English language, possessive nouns are used to show ownership or relationship between two things. A possessive noun is a noun that shows that something belongs to someone or something else. For example, "John's book" shows that the book belongs to John. In this article, we will explore the rules for making plural nouns possessive, including those that end in 's' and those that do not.

Making Plural Nouns Possessive

When it comes to making plural nouns possessive, there are two main rules to follow. The first rule applies to plural nouns that end in 's', while the second rule applies to plural nouns that do not end in 's'.

Plural Nouns that End in 's'

When a plural noun ends in 's', you can make it possessive by adding an apostrophe after the 's'. This is known as the "s' rule". For example:

  • babies' toys
  • cats' claws
  • dogs' barks

As you can see, the apostrophe is added after the 's' to show that the toys, claws, and barks belong to the babies, cats, and dogs respectively.

Plural Nouns that Do Not End in 's'

When a plural noun does not end in 's', you can make it possessive by adding an apostrophe + 's'. This is known as the "apostrophe + 's' rule". For example:

  • people's voices
  • children's laughter
  • men's clothing

In these examples, the apostrophe + 's' is added to show that the voices, laughter, and clothing belong to the people, children, and men respectively.

Examples of Possessive Nouns in Sentences

Here are some examples of possessive nouns in sentences:

  • The baby's toys are scattered all over the floor. (Here, "baby's" is a possessive noun showing that the toys belong to the baby.)
  • The people's voices were heard loud and clear. (Here, "people's" is a possessive noun showing that the voices belong to the people.)
  • The children's laughter filled the room. (Here, "children's" is a possessive noun showing that the laughter belongs to the children.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to making plural nouns possessive, there are some common mistakes to avoid. Here are a few:

  • Adding an apostrophe + 's' to a plural noun that ends in 's'. For example: "babies's toys" is incorrect. Instead, use "babies' toys".
  • Omitting the apostrophe + 's' when making a plural noun possessive. For example: "people voices" is incorrect. Instead, use "people's voices".

Conclusion

In conclusion, making plural nouns possessive is an important aspect of English grammar. By following the rules outlined in this article, you can ensure that your possessive nouns are used correctly. Remember, when a plural noun ends in 's', add an apostrophe after the 's' (s'). When a plural noun does not end in 's', add an apostrophe + 's'. With practice, you will become more confident in using possessive nouns in your writing and speaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about possessive nouns:

  • Q: What is the difference between a possessive noun and a plural noun? A: A possessive noun shows ownership or relationship between two things, while a plural noun refers to more than one thing.
  • Q: How do I make a plural noun possessive? A: To make a plural noun possessive, follow the rules outlined in this article: add an apostrophe after the 's' (s') for plural nouns that end in 's', and add an apostrophe + 's' for plural nouns that do not end in 's'.
  • Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when making plural nouns possessive? A: Some common mistakes to avoid include adding an apostrophe + 's' to a plural noun that ends in 's', and omitting the apostrophe + 's' when making a plural noun possessive.

Additional Resources

For more information on possessive nouns, check out the following resources:

  • Grammarly: A comprehensive guide to possessive nouns from Grammarly.
  • Purdue Online Writing Lab: A guide to possessive nouns from the Purdue Online Writing Lab.
  • English Grammar 101: A guide to possessive nouns from English Grammar 101.
    Possessive Nouns Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions =====================================================

Q: What is the difference between a possessive noun and a plural noun?

A: A possessive noun shows ownership or relationship between two things, while a plural noun refers to more than one thing. For example, "John's book" is a possessive noun because it shows that the book belongs to John, while "books" is a plural noun because it refers to more than one book.

Q: How do I make a plural noun possessive?

A: To make a plural noun possessive, follow the rules outlined in this article: add an apostrophe after the 's' (s') for plural nouns that end in 's', and add an apostrophe + 's' for plural nouns that do not end in 's'. For example:

  • babies' toys (plural noun that ends in 's')
  • people's voices (plural noun that does not end in 's')

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when making plural nouns possessive?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid include:

  • Adding an apostrophe + 's' to a plural noun that ends in 's'. For example: "babies's toys" is incorrect. Instead, use "babies' toys".
  • Omitting the apostrophe + 's' when making a plural noun possessive. For example: "people voices" is incorrect. Instead, use "people's voices".

Q: Can I use an apostrophe + 's' with a singular noun?

A: Yes, you can use an apostrophe + 's' with a singular noun to show possession. For example:

  • John's car (singular noun)
  • The cat's toy (singular noun)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a compound noun?

A: To make a possessive noun with a compound noun, follow the same rules as with a singular noun. For example:

  • The sun's rays (compound noun)
  • The United States' economy (compound noun)

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a plural noun?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a plural noun. For example:

  • The children's toys (plural noun)
  • The people's voices (plural noun)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a proper noun?

A: To make a possessive noun with a proper noun, follow the same rules as with a singular noun. For example:

  • Shakespeare's plays (proper noun)
  • The United States' economy (proper noun)

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a collective noun?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a collective noun. For example:

  • The team's victory (collective noun)
  • The family's traditions (collective noun)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that ends in 'y'?

A: To make a possessive noun with a noun that ends in 'y', change the 'y' to 'i' before adding the apostrophe + 's'. For example:

  • The city's streets (noun that ends in 'y')
  • The baby's toys (noun that ends in 'y')

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a noun that ends in 's'?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a noun that ends in 's'. For example:

  • The bus's route (noun that ends in 's')
  • The cat's toys (noun that ends in 's')

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that ends in 'x'?

A: To make a possessive noun with a noun that ends in 'x', add an apostrophe + 's' after the 'x'. For example:

  • The box's contents (noun that ends in 'x')
  • The fox's den (noun that ends in 'x')

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a noun that ends in 'z'?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a noun that ends in 'z'. For example:

  • The buzz's sound (noun that ends in 'z')
  • The fizz's bubbles (noun that ends in 'z')

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that ends in a vowel?

A: To make a possessive noun with a noun that ends in a vowel, add an apostrophe + 's' after the noun. For example:

  • The radio's signal (noun that ends in a vowel)
  • The piano's keys (noun that ends in a vowel)

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a noun that ends in a consonant?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a noun that ends in a consonant. For example:

  • The bus's route (noun that ends in a consonant)
  • The cat's toys (noun that ends in a consonant)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that has a hyphen?

A: To make a possessive noun with a noun that has a hyphen, add an apostrophe + 's' after the hyphen. For example:

  • The self-portrait's beauty (noun that has a hyphen)
  • The co-pilot's seat (noun that has a hyphen)

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a noun that has an apostrophe?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a noun that has an apostrophe. For example:

  • The '80s music (noun that has an apostrophe)
  • The '90s fashion (noun that has an apostrophe)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that has a quotation mark?

A: To make a possessive noun with a noun that has a quotation mark, add an apostrophe + 's' after the quotation mark. For example:

  • The "sun's" rays (noun that has a quotation mark)
  • The "cat's" toys (noun that has a quotation mark)

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a noun that has a comma?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a noun that has a comma. For example:

  • The, sun's, rays (noun that has a comma)
  • The, cat's, toys (noun that has a comma)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that has a semicolon?

A: To make a possessive noun with a noun that has a semicolon, add an apostrophe + 's' after the semicolon. For example:

  • The; sun's; rays (noun that has a semicolon)
  • The; cat's; toys (noun that has a semicolon)

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a noun that has a colon?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a noun that has a colon. For example:

  • The: sun's: rays (noun that has a colon)
  • The: cat's: toys (noun that has a colon)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that has a dash?

A: To make a possessive noun with a noun that has a dash, add an apostrophe + 's' after the dash. For example:

  • The - sun's - rays (noun that has a dash)
  • The - cat's - toys (noun that has a dash)

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a noun that has a parentheses?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a noun that has a parentheses. For example:

  • The (sun's) rays (noun that has a parentheses)
  • The (cat's) toys (noun that has a parentheses)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that has a footnote?

A: To make a possessive noun with a noun that has a footnote, add an apostrophe + 's' after the footnote. For example:

  • The^1 sun's rays (noun that has a footnote)
  • The^1 cat's toys (noun that has a footnote)

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a noun that has a superscript?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a noun that has a superscript. For example:

  • The^2 sun's rays (noun that has a superscript)
  • The^2 cat's toys (noun that has a superscript)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that has a subscript?

A: To make a possessive noun with a noun that has a subscript, add an apostrophe + 's' after the subscript. For example:

  • The_1 sun's rays (noun that has a subscript)
  • The_1 cat's toys (noun that has a subscript)

Q: Can I use a possessive noun with a noun that has a mathematical symbol?

A: Yes, you can use a possessive noun with a noun that has a mathematical symbol. For example:

  • The + sun's rays (noun that has a mathematical symbol)
  • The - cat's toys (noun that has a mathematical symbol)

Q: How do I make a possessive noun with a noun that has a scientific symbol?

A: To