The possessive apostrophe
May 23rd 2009 20:35
I mentioned the possessive apostrophe in previous posts here at Grammar Matters, but it deserves special attention because it is the source of so much confusion. Most of us are clear on the concept that adding an apostrophe and an "s" to a regular noun indicates possession, as in the following phrases:
the cat's meow
my mom's apron strings
the president's speech
Indicating possession for multiple subjects is a thornier issue, as is indicating possession for plural nouns and certain types of proper nouns. Consider the examples below.
When subjects share possession of an object, add the apostrophe and "s" to the party closest to the object:
Bill and Ted's adventure was excellent.
Bill said that his and Ted's excellent adventure was hardly bogus.
When subjects do not share possession of the objects, add the apostrophe and "s" to all parties:
Bill's and Ted's respective girlfriends are not in the picture.
Indicate possessive plural nouns that end in "s" (i.e., regular nouns) with just an apostrophe:
The hockey teams' coaches are retiring this year.
But of course some irregular plural nouns, e.g., geese, children, mice, men, require both apostrophe and "s":
The men's team won the silver medal.
When a proper noun--the specific and capitalised name of a person, place, or thing--ends in an "s", add the apostrophe and an "s" if you pronounce the extra "s" sound when speaking:
I am going to Chris's house after school.
But do not add the "s" if you do not pronounce the extra "s" when speaking*:
We are doing a project on Socrates' life.
*This depends on the speaker, as I've heard people say some names differently. In my experience, most people say "Jesus's", but I have heard "Jesus'" a few times.
Hypercorrection is probably behind the tendency to add apostrophes to plural proper nouns. For example, write either of the following:
This is the Thompsons' house.
This house belongs to the Thompsons.
but NOT
This house belongs to the Thompsons'.
the cat's meow
my mom's apron strings
the president's speech
Indicating possession for multiple subjects is a thornier issue, as is indicating possession for plural nouns and certain types of proper nouns. Consider the examples below.
When subjects share possession of an object, add the apostrophe and "s" to the party closest to the object:
Bill and Ted's adventure was excellent.
Bill said that his and Ted's excellent adventure was hardly bogus.
When subjects do not share possession of the objects, add the apostrophe and "s" to all parties:
Bill's and Ted's respective girlfriends are not in the picture.
Indicate possessive plural nouns that end in "s" (i.e., regular nouns) with just an apostrophe:
The hockey teams' coaches are retiring this year.
But of course some irregular plural nouns, e.g., geese, children, mice, men, require both apostrophe and "s":
The men's team won the silver medal.
When a proper noun--the specific and capitalised name of a person, place, or thing--ends in an "s", add the apostrophe and an "s" if you pronounce the extra "s" sound when speaking:
I am going to Chris's house after school.
But do not add the "s" if you do not pronounce the extra "s" when speaking*:
We are doing a project on Socrates' life.
*This depends on the speaker, as I've heard people say some names differently. In my experience, most people say "Jesus's", but I have heard "Jesus'" a few times.
Hypercorrection is probably behind the tendency to add apostrophes to plural proper nouns. For example, write either of the following:
This is the Thompsons' house.
This house belongs to the Thompsons.
but NOT
This house belongs to the Thompsons'.
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