Discuss the rules for agreement when using possessive nouns.

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Discuss the rules for agreement when using possessive nouns.

When using possessive nouns, there are several rules for agreement that need to be followed. These rules ensure that the possessive noun agrees in number and gender with the noun it is modifying. Here are the key rules for agreement when using possessive nouns:

1. Singular Possessive Nouns: When a singular noun shows possession, an apostrophe followed by an "s" ('s) is added to the noun. For example, "The dog's bone" or "John's car." In both cases, the possessive noun agrees in number with the singular noun it is modifying.

2. Plural Possessive Nouns: When a plural noun shows possession, an apostrophe is added after the "s" of the plural noun. For example, "The dogs' bones" or "The students' books." In both cases, the possessive noun agrees in number with the plural noun it is modifying.

3. Irregular Plural Possessive Nouns: Some plural nouns have irregular forms when showing possession. For example, "The children's toys" or "The women's shoes." In both cases, the possessive noun agrees in number and form with the irregular plural noun it is modifying.

4. Joint Possession: When two or more nouns possess something together, only the last noun takes the possessive form. For example, "John and Mary's house" or "The company's employees." In both cases, the possessive noun agrees in number with the last noun in the joint possession.

5. Indefinite Pronouns: When using indefinite pronouns like "everyone," "someone," or "anyone," the possessive form is created by adding an apostrophe followed by an "s" ('s). For example, "Everyone's opinion matters" or "Someone's phone is ringing." In both cases, the possessive noun agrees in number with the indefinite pronoun.

6. Gender Agreement: Possessive nouns should also agree in gender with the noun they are modifying. For example, "The girl's dress" or "The boy's hat." In both cases, the possessive noun agrees in gender with the noun it is modifying.

It is important to note that when using possessive nouns, the apostrophe is used to indicate possession, not to form a plural noun. Therefore, it is crucial to understand and apply these rules for agreement when using possessive nouns to ensure grammatical accuracy in writing.