Question

Singular Possessive Nouns

Here are examples of how singular nouns take on the possessive form. It's a simple matter of adding an apostrophe and the letter "s."

Kate has a kitten.
It is Kate's kitten. (Kate is the possessor of the kitten)

Kentucky has coalmines.
They are Kentucky's coalmines. (Kentucky is the possessor of the coalmines)

Possessives can show a family relationship, too. For example,

Michele Obama is the President's wife.
Names ending in the letter "s" are a little different. You can either just add the apostrophe or you can add an apostrophe and "s." Adding the apostrophe and "s" is more common.

The party is at Charles's house.
James' wedding is next week.
This is Thomas's coat.
Possessives can also refer to restaurants, stores, colleges, and churches.

Let's go to Pasquale's for lunch.
Is St. John's a Catholic church?
Harvard's attendance was down last year.
Nouns that identify job titles can show possession as well.

The doctor's white coat was hanging in his office.
The salesman's pitch was very persuasive.
To make hyphenated nouns possessive add an apostrophe + "s."

My father-in-law's hamburger recipe is the best.
When two nouns are joined but the ownership is separate each noun shows possession with an apostrophe + "s."

Mary's and Michael's coats are red and black. (Each owns his or her own coat and they are different coats.)
If two nouns are joined and the possession is the same, the last noun get's the apostrophe + "s."

Carol and John's new car is the latest model.
Plural Possessive Nouns

In order to make a plural noun possessive that doesn't end in the letter "s" all you have to do is add an apostrophe and an "s."

Women = women's
Mice = mice's
If the plural noun ends in an "s" it becomes possessive by adding an apostrophe at the end.

Cars = cars'
Rivers = rivers'
One thing to keep in mind is possessive nouns are all about the apostrophes. You'll always need or without the "s."

Answer 1

An apostrophe is used to indicate possession with nouns. For singular nouns, add apostrophe and -s. For plural nouns, add apostrophe after the final -s or, if it doesn't end in -s, add apostrophe and -s.

Step-by-step explanation:

An apostrophe is used to indicate possession with nouns. For singular nouns, you add apostrophe and -s, like 's. For example, 'Jack's brother is my sister's coworker.' When the noun is plural and does not end in -s, you add apostrophe and -s. For example, 'Social media's effect on contemporary life cannot be underestimated.' When the noun is plural and ends in -s, you just add an apostrophe after the final -s. For example, 'American households' incomes have grown since the 1970s because more women have entered the workforce.'