Possessives

(Showing ownership)

Possessives indicate that something belongs to someone or something.

English uses possessive nouns, possessive pronouns, possessive adjectives (sometimes called possessive determiners), and possessive forms with nouns and gerunds.

Below are all main types with clear rules and examples.

1. Possessive nouns (add ’s or just an apostrophe)

Singular nouns: add ’s

dog → the dog’s leash
James → James’s book

Plural nouns ending in -s: add only an apostrophe (’)

dogs → the dogs’ park
the Smiths → the Smiths’ house

Plural nouns not ending in -s: add ’s

children → the children’s toys
men → the men’s room

Note:
For singular nouns already ending in s, style guides vary. Both James’s and James’ are commonly accepted but James’s is preferred in most modern guides.

2. Possessive pronouns (stand alone; replace noun + ’s)

These show ownership and do not take an apostrophe.

mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs

Examples:
That book is mine.
The decision was theirs.
Is this umbrella yours?

Important:
Its (possessive) has no apostrophe.
It’s (with apostrophe) = it is or it has.

3. Possessive adjectives / possessive determiners (modify a noun)

These appear before nouns to show possession.

my, your, his, her, its, our, their

Examples:
My car is in the driveway.
Her idea solved the problem.
Their opinions differ.

Difference between Possessive adjective & possessive pronoun:

Possessive adjective: my book (needs a noun)
Possessive pronoun: mine (stands alone)

4. Saxon genitive with compound nouns and names

For compound nouns, add ’s to the final word:

my sister-in-law’s advice

For joint ownership, add ’s only to the last noun:

Anna and Mark’s apartment (they share it)

For separate ownership, add ’s to each noun:

Anna’s and Mark’s phones (each has a phone)

5. Possessive with noun phrases

Add ’s to the end of the whole phrase (usually the last word):

• the king of Spain’s crown
• someone I know’s recommendation
  (avoid awkwardness; rephrase:
  a recommendation from someone I know)

6. Double possessive (of + possessive pronoun/noun)

Used for emphasis or to indicate one of many:

• a friend of mine (one friend among several)
• that idea of hers

Do not use both of and a possessive ’s together (avoid: *the book of John’s) except in informal speech or for emphasis—preferred: John’s book or a book of John’s (the latter is acceptable as a double possessive).

7. Possessive with inanimate nouns and concepts

Common with time, measurements, or collective concepts:

a day’s work, a month’s rent, the earth’s surface

With many inanimate objects you may also use of:

the color of the sky (equally acceptable: the sky’s color

— the of-construction is often preferred for abstract or long noun phrases)

8. Possessive with gerunds (verb + -ing used as noun)

Use possessive form (usually a possessive adjective or possessive noun) before a gerund to show the performer of the action:

• I appreciated her singing. (preferred over “she singing”)
• John’s signing of the contract surprised everyone.
• We disliked their leaving early.

9. Special cases and tips

• Names ending with s: choose style consistently (Charles’s book or Charles’ book). Follow your style guide.
• Inanimate ownership: prefer of-construction when it sounds less awkward (the name of the city rather than the city’s name is often fine both ways).
• Pronouns never use apostrophes for possessives (its, ours, yours, theirs, his, hers).
• Avoid confusing it’s (it is) and its (possessive).

Quick reference examples

Singular noun: the teacher’s pen
Plural possessive (-s): the teachers’ lounge
Plural possessive (irregular): the children’s playground
Possessive adjective + noun: her coat
Possessive pronoun: that coat is hers
Compound: my brother-in-law’s car
Joint vs separate: Sam and Lisa’s project (joint) / Sam’s and Lisa’s awards (separate)
Gerund: I object to his smoking