Possessives

Words that show ownership are called possessive nouns. A noun is possessive if a phrase can be changed to say that an item or idea belongs to someone else. Example: The musket that belongs to Pa was lost. Pa’s musket was lost.

An apostrophe (') is used to show the ownership. Rule 1 To show possessive of singular nouns add 's. Examples: Nathan => Nathan's fault Mama => Mama's medicine bag the stranger => the stranger's coat Duffy => Duffy's tail

The possessive form can also show an feature or characteristic. Examples: floor => the floor’s dirt flower => the flower’s stem table => the table’s legs medicine bag => the medicine bag’s handle

Practice Write the possessive of each item below. Example the hat of the boy => the boy’s hat 1. The statue belonging to Tom ______________________________ 2. The shirt belonging to Nathan ______________________________ 3. The collar belonging to Duffy ______________________________

Remember If a singular noun ends in an s you must add an apostrophe and s to make it show possession. Examples the bubbles belonging to Jess => Jess’s bubbles the paper belonging to class=> the class’s paper

Practice Write the possessive of each item below. Example the dog belonging to James => James’s dog 1. the ruffle of the dress ______________________________ 2. the money belong to the business ______________________________ 3. the leaves of the cypress ______________________________

Practice Complete the worksheet on Singular Possessives. We will review together.

Plural Possessives Rules 1-2 Rules 1. To show possession of singular nouns add 's. 1. To show possession of singular nouns add 's. 2. To show possession of plural nouns ending in s add an apostrophe ('). Examples: piglets => piglets' mother Indians => Indians' home settlers => settlers' worry 2. To show possession of plural nouns ending in s add an apostrophe ('). Examples: piglets => piglets' mother Indians => Indians' home settlers => settlers' worry

Practice Write the possessive of each item below. Example the wegiwas of the Shawnees => the Shawnees’ wegiwas 1. the hats of the settlers ______________________________ 2. the edge of the river ______________________________ 3. the victims of the government agents ______________________________

Plural Possessives Rule 3 To show the possession of a plural noun not ending in s add 's. Example: oxen => oxen's yoke feet => feet's blisters

Practice Write the possessive of each item below. Example the pets of the children => the children’s pets 1. the first snow of winter ______________________________ 2. the innocence of the people ______________________________ 3. the blanket of Tyler ______________________________

Practice Complete worksheet side 1 on Plural Possessives. Review: Complete side 2 on Singular Possessives.

Plural Possessives Rule 4 If there is joint possession, use the correct possessive for only the possessive closest to the noun Julie and Nathan's friendship grew. Julie and Nathan's friendship grew. Dad was worried about his son and daughter's safety. Dad was worried about his son and daughter's safety.

Plural Possessives Rule 5 If there is a separate possession of the same noun, use the correct possessive form for each word. The Indians’ and the settlers’ excuses were equally false. The Indians’ and the settlers’ excuses were equally false. The fiddlers' and the singers' families went to the fiddler contest. The fiddlers' and the singers' families went to the fiddler contest.

Plural Possessives Rule 6 In a compound construction, use the correct possessive form for the word closest to the noun. Avoid possessives with compound plurals. His father-in-law's wegiwa was made of poplar logs. His father-in-law's wegiwa was made of poplar logs. The Indian scout’s job was to move the Native Americans to the reservation. The Indian scout’s job was to move the Native Americans to the reservation.

Practice Complete worksheet page 13 on Plural and Singular Possessives.