What are the rules for forming possessive nouns with compound nouns ending in 's' and 's' sounds?

What are the rules for forming possessive nouns with compound nouns ending in 's' and 's' sounds?

When forming possessive nouns with compound nouns ending in 's' and 's' sounds, there are a few rules to follow.

1. If the compound noun is singular and ends in 's' or an 's' sound, add an apostrophe ('s) after the final 's'. For example, "The boss's office is on the top floor."

2. If the compound noun is plural and ends in 's' or an 's' sound, only add an apostrophe (') after the final 's'. For example, "The cats' toys are scattered all over the house."

3. If the compound noun is plural and does not end in 's' or an 's' sound, add an apostrophe ('s) after the final letter. For example, "The children's playground is full of laughter."

4. If the compound noun is a proper noun (a specific name), follow the same rules as above. For example, "James's car is parked outside."

5. If the compound noun is a possessive pronoun (such as his, hers, ours, theirs), do not use an apostrophe. For example, "The book is hers."

It is important to note that these rules may vary slightly depending on the style guide or grammar rules being followed. However, these guidelines are generally accepted and widely used in English grammar.