Possessive nouns

Possessive Nouns

• Possessive nouns are used to show possession (owning, or having).

The dog's collar is too large.

The word "dog's" is the possessive noun. It tells you that the noun "collar" belongs to the dog. The dog owns, or possesses the collar.

Add 's to the end of a singular noun to make it possessive.

The sky's color is changing.

• sky + 's
• Add 's to the end of a plural noun that does not end with an s .

We saw the children's snowman.

• children + 's
• Add only the apostrophe (') to the end of a plural noun that ends with an s

My sisters ' names are Kate and Nikki.

• sisters + '
• Optional: If the noun is singular and ends with an s, add 's or add only the apostrophe (') .

The bus's engine stopped. The bus' engine stopped.

• Note: Most sources recommend the shorter version if the ending "iz" sound is not wanted.

Can you find the noun in each sentence that should be possessive? Write it correctly on your paper.

• The Pilgrims ship was uncomfortable.

ANSWER

• The Pilgrims’ ship was uncomfortable.

2. A sincere person compliment is a valuable gift.

ANSWER

2. A sincere person’s compliment is a valuable gift.

3. Mrs. Graves class has a great website.

ANSWER

3. Mrs. Graves’ class has a great website.

4. The class teacher was very young.

ANSWER

4. The class’ teacher was very young.

or class’s

5. The pony rider was too heavy.

ANSWER

5. The pony’s rider was too heavy.

6. Your brother attitude got him in trouble.

ANSWER

6. Your brother’s attitude got him in trouble.

7. Amy report card was wonderful.

ANSWER

7. Amy’s report card was wonderful.

8. The little babies nursery had five beds.

ANSWER

8. The little babies’ nursery had five beds.

9. I didn’t know I was eating your cat tuna.

ANSWER

9. I didn’t know I was eating your cat’s tuna.

10. The girls outfits were exactly the same.

ANSWER

10. The girls’ outfits were exactly the same.

11. We were proud of Chris performance.

ANSWER

11. We were proud of Chris’ performance.

How did you do?

• For more practice, print and complete the online worksheet.
• Play the online matching game