We use an apostrophe to show possession as it indicates that words have been removed.
The coat of the boy.
The boy’s coat.
The bowls of the dogs.
The dogs’ bowls.
In order to determine where to place the apostrophe, always ask yourself “Who is the owner?” When you have worked out who the owner is, place the apostrophe after the last latter in that word:
The coat of the boy.
The boy’s coat.
The bowls of the dogs.
The dogs’ bowls.
It is a mistake when you are looking at apostrophes to do so in terms of singular and plural — instead, simply ask yourself each time, “Who is the owner?”
NOTE: You don’t use an apostrophe to indicate possession with the pronoun it.
The door has lost its hinges.
After its initial good performances, the team’s season fell away.
When it’s late in the day, the house loses its warmth.
Task 1
Re-write the following using apostrophes to indicate possession.
- the hats of the lady
- the hats of the ladies
- the pencils of the child
- the pencils of the children
- the food of the horse
- the food of the horses
- the cars of the women
- the books of the library
- the desks of the pupils
- the keys of the men
Task 2
Add apostrophes in the following sentences to show possession.
- After the womens meeting ended, some of them left immediately to go to their cars.
- While she was at the checkout, she accidentally picked up another womans purse.
- “A mans home is his castle,” said the old man to his grandson.
- Although it had dug its way out of the garden, the dogs lead had somehow ended up in the kitchen.
- The mens football was not performing anywhere near as well as the womens team.
- Once they had elected their representatives to council, the students went to the teachers lounge to announce the results.
- The horses crossed the finish line together and the owners celebrated their win.
- The childrens books section was right at the back of the library.