Grammar Rules Questions Long
The possessive case is used to show ownership or possession of something. It is used with both nouns and pronouns. The rules for using the possessive case with nouns and pronouns are as follows:
1. For singular nouns: To form the possessive case of a singular noun, add an apostrophe (') followed by the letter "s" at the end of the noun. For example:
- The dog's bone
- John's car
2. For plural nouns ending in "s": To form the possessive case of a plural noun that already ends in "s," simply add an apostrophe (') after the "s." For example:
- The girls' toys
- The teachers' lounge
3. For plural nouns not ending in "s": To form the possessive case of a plural noun that does not end in "s," add an apostrophe (') followed by the letter "s" at the end of the noun. For example:
- The children's books
- The men's room
4. For compound nouns: When a compound noun is used in the possessive case, only the last word takes the possessive form. For example:
- My sister-in-law's car
- The attorney general's office
5. For pronouns: Pronouns also have possessive forms that indicate ownership. The possessive pronouns are as follows:
- My, mine
- Your, yours
- His
- Her, hers
- Its
- Our, ours
- Their, theirs
6. For indefinite pronouns: When using indefinite pronouns in the possessive case, add an apostrophe (') followed by the letter "s" at the end of the pronoun. For example:
- Someone's bag
- Everybody's opinion
7. For joint possession: When two or more people share ownership of something, only the last noun or pronoun takes the possessive form. For example:
- John and Mary's house
- The company's employees
It is important to note that the possessive case is not used with possessive pronouns (e.g., his, hers, theirs) as they already indicate ownership. Additionally, it is crucial to use the possessive case correctly to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in writing.