1. Singular Nouns:
* Add an apostrophe and an "s" ('s) to the end of the noun:
* The dog's bone is in the yard. (The bone belongs to the dog.)
* The teacher's desk is tidy. (The desk belongs to the teacher.)
* John's car is red. (The car belongs to John.)
2. Plural Nouns:
* If the plural noun ends in "s," add only an apostrophe (') after the "s":
* The students' books are on the shelves. (The books belong to the students.)
* The birds' nests are in the trees. (The nests belong to the birds.)
* If the plural noun does not end in "s," add an apostrophe and an "s" ('s) to the end:
* The children's toys are scattered on the floor. (The toys belong to the children.)
* The men's locker room is down the hall. (The locker room belongs to the men.)
3. Possessive Pronouns:
* Possessive pronouns show ownership without using an apostrophe:
* This is my book.
* That is her coat.
* Those are their shoes.
Examples in Sentences:
* The cat's tail is fluffy.
* The children's laughter echoed through the park.
* Sarah's painting won first prize.
* The team's performance was impressive.
* My favorite color is blue.
Key Points:
* The possessive case is essential for clear and concise writing.
* Using the correct form of the possessive case helps avoid confusion and ambiguity.
* Possessive pronouns are used to show ownership without an apostrophe.