Possessive Case

In this article we will study how to make possessives of nouns and pronouns.

Forming possessive case of nouns

When noun is singular

When the noun is singular, the possessive case is formed by adding ’s to the noun.
E.g. the girls’s laptop; the king’s crown.

To make the possessive form of names ending in -s, we can add either apostrophe (') or ’s.
E.g. It’s Sam Jones’ (or Sam Jones’s) villa.

The letter s is omitted in a few words where too many hissing sounds would come together.
E.g. for conscience’ sake; for goodness’ sake; for justice’ sake; for Jesus’ sake; Moses’ laws.

When noun is plural

When the noun is plural but does not end in s (e.g. irregular plurals), the possessive case is formed by adding ‘s’.
E.g. men’s club; children’s toys.

When the noun is plural, and ends in ‘s’, the possessive case is formed by adding only an apostrophe (‘) (i.e. we omit ‘s’)
E.g. boys’ high school; dogs’ bones.

When noun contains several words

When a noun consists of several words, the possessive sign is attached only to the last word.
E.g. The President of Russia’s visit.

In case of compound nouns, apostrophe can come only at the end.
E.g. Commander-in-chief’s orders; daughter-in-law’s brother.

When two nouns are in apposition, the possessive sign is put to the latter only (i.e. at the end of brief description).
E.g. That is Stephan Hawking the scientist’s house.
Someone has stolen my brother, Anand’s watch.
Do you support Mr. Modi, the prime minister of India’s decision. (the prime minister of India’s - Noun-in-Apposition)

Forming possessive case of pronouns

anybody, anyone etc.

‘s (i.e. apostrophe s) is used with anybody/nobody/everybody/somebody/anyone/someone/no one/everyone.
E.g.: Everyone’s concern is no one’s concern.
Everybody’s business is nobody’s business.

If ‘else’ is used with anybody/nobody/everybody/somebody /anyone/someone/no one/everyone, ‘s (i.e. apostrophe s) will be used with else.
E.g.: I can rely on your words, not somebody else’s.
I like your earrings and nobody else’s.
That was someone else’s shoe.
Your website is better than anyone else’s.

Possessive pronouns

Apostrophe is not used with possessive pronouns (his, hers, yours, ours, theirs)
E.g. yours faithfully (yours’ faithfully)
yours truly (yours’ truly)

Uses of the Possessive Case

Use Case 1

We can say:
That old bike of John’s is unsafe.

But when we are talking about relationships between people we can also use a noun without ’s:
An uncle of David’s. (or An uncle of David.)

Use Case 2

The possessive of a proper name or of a noun denoting a trade, profession, or relationship may be used to denote a building or place of business (church, house, school, college, shop, hospital, theatre etc.).

The noun following such a possessive form can be left out.

Tomorrow I am dining at my uncle’s. (it means uncle’s house).
She was educated at St. Stephan’s. (it means St. Stephan college).

In some of the cases we can also use the singular (without ‘s).
I must go to the butcher’s tomorrow. (it means butcher’s shop)
I must go to the butcher tomorrow. (it means butcher’s shop)

We also usually leave out the noun when the meaning is clear in cases like:
‘Whose bat is this?’ ‘Sachin’s.’ (rather than Sachin’s hat.)

Use Case 3 (Living vs. Non-living)

The Possessive Case is used mainly with the names of living things.
The Minister’s assistant; the lion’s mane.

Apostrophe is not used with non-living things. Instead, we use ‘of’.
I don’t like this door’s colour. (incorrect)
I don’t like the colour of this door. (correct)
This table’s leg is broken. (incorrect)
The leg of this table is broken. (correct)

Apostrophe is also not used with plant or tree.
mango’s tree ( incorrect)
mango tree ( correct)
rose’s plant (incorrect)
rose plant (correct)

But there are many exceptions to this living, non-living rule. Let us see them one by one.

Possessive is used with:

• collective Noun
  Do you support the government’s policy. (government - collective noun)
  

• heavenly Bodies
  The moon’s beauty can’t be described.
  

• anything personified
  India’s heroes; Nature’s laws; Fortune’s favourite; at duty’s call; at death’s door.
  

• monuments / institutions
  The red fort’s glory cannot be surpassed.
  

• names of countries, state, city etc.
  India’s beauty is more mesmerizing than Nepal’s.
  

• nouns denoting time, space, weight, amount, distance, etc.
  a day’s march. (denoting time)
  in a month’s time. (denoting time)
  a pound’s weight. (denoting weight)
  a stone’s throw away. (denoting distance)
  

Use Case 4

In case of clause/phrase, we don’t use apostrophe s (’s).

Examples:
Have you gone through Shakespeare’s poems who was a great poet. (incorrect)
Have you gone through the poems of Shakespeare who was a great poet. (correct)

I don’t like the man’s behaviour sitting beside you. (incorrect)
I don’t like the behaviour of the man sitting beside you. (correct)

Extra Books and Tools

If you prefer to learn via books, or want some good English Grammar books for reference purposes, you may read this article which enlists some of the books recommended by us.