Final answer:
To pluralize a noun ending in 'z', add 'es'. For the possessive form of plural nouns not ending in 's', use an apostrophe followed by 's'; for those ending in 's', add just an apostrophe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pluralizing Nouns Ending in 'z'
To make a noun that ends in 'z' plural, you typically add 'es' to the end of the word. This rule is similar to the way you would make any regular noun that ends in s, sh, ch, x, or z plural. For example, the plural form of 'quiz' is 'quizzes'. This addition of 'es' creates an extra syllable in the word, making it easier to pronounce. It's important to note that this rule applies to regular nouns; irregular nouns may have different plural forms that you need to memorize.
When it comes to using possessive forms of plural nouns, the placement of the apostrophe changes depending on whether the noun ends in an 's' or not. For plural nouns that do not end in 's', such as 'children' or 'people', you add an apostrophe followed by 's' to denote possession. For example, 'the children's game' or 'the people's opinion'. However, for plural nouns that already end in 's', such as 'friends' or 'workers', you simply add an apostrophe at the end to make them possessive, as in 'the three friends' cars' or 'the workers' benefits'.
Additionally, you should never use an apostrophe to make a noun plural. Apostrophes are used for possessive forms and to form contractions, not to pluralize nouns. Common contraction examples include 'I can't' for 'I cannot', or 'it's' for 'it is'. Mixing up pluralization and possession is a common error in English, so it is essential to remember this difference.