What are the rules for using apostrophes in possessive nouns?

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What are the rules for using apostrophes in possessive nouns?

The rules for using apostrophes in possessive nouns are as follows:

1. For singular nouns, add an apostrophe followed by an "s" ('s) to indicate possession. For example: "The dog's bone" or "John's car."

2. For plural nouns that end in "s," add an apostrophe after the "s" to indicate possession. For example: "The students' books" or "The cats' toys."

3. For plural nouns that do not end in "s," add an apostrophe followed by an "s" ('s) to indicate possession. For example: "The children's toys" or "The men's jackets."

4. For joint possession, when two or more people share ownership, add an apostrophe and an "s" ('s) to the last noun only. For example: "John and Mary's house" or "The company's employees' benefits."

5. Do not use an apostrophe for possessive pronouns like "yours," "hers," "theirs," "ours," or "its."

It is important to note that apostrophes are not used to indicate plural forms of nouns, only possession.