What are possessive apostrophes?

Possessive apostrophes are apostrophes (’) used with the letters at the end of
a noun to show ownership over or a close connection with another noun. For
example, if you were talking about the tail of your cat, you can add a
possessive apostrophe and an s as punctuation to show which noun is the
owner.

My cat’s tail

Apostrophes are used for more than just the possessive case of nouns;
they’re also used for contractions like can’t. Because apostrophes have
different uses and specific grammar rules, they account for many common
grammar mistakes—so be sure to review the rules on how to use apostrophes
in the next section to avoid errors.

How to use apostrophes

Possessive apostrophes come at the end of nouns that show ownership

(possession) or a close relationship like among family members or body parts.
The “owner” noun always precedes the noun it relates to, but any adjective
that describes the second noun goes in between the two nouns.

Ava’s haircut

Ava’s new, stylish, and expensive haircut

If adjectives describe the “owner” noun, they come before it.

the trendsetting Ava’s new haircut

Although that’s fairly simple, the other rules for how to use apostrophes are
more complicated. Different types of nouns—singular, plural, compound,
pronouns, etc.—each have their own rules.

Possessive apostrophes with singular nouns

The most common use of possessive apostrophes is with singular nouns. In

this case, you simply add an apostrophe followed by the letters.

bicycle’s wheels

Maria’s brother

This applies to all types of singular nouns, including those that end in s or z.

boss’s chair

Rodriguez’s notebook

However, some style formats, such as the Associated Press, omit the
extra s in words that end in s or z, using only an apostrophe. If you’re in doubt,
be sure to check the style guide your class or company uses.

Possessive apostrophes with plural nouns

Regular plural nouns already add an s to show they’re plural. To make these
possessive, you just add an apostrophe after the s at the end of the word;
there’s no need to add another s.

Do: students’ demands

Do: players’ lockers

Don’t: students’s demands

Don’t: players’s lockers

Keep in mind that some nouns have an irregular plural form, like children,
which is the irregular plural form of child. With irregular plurals, add both an
apostrophe and s, as you do with singular nouns.

geese’s eggs

mice’s breakfast

Possessive apostrophes with last names

Proper nouns, including last names, follow the same rules as other nouns. If
they’re singular, add an apostrophe ands to the end, even if the name ends
with s or z.

Anwuli Okoro’s bathing suit

Charles’s schedule

If they’re plural, treat them as you would other plural nouns and just add an
apostrophe after thes.
Jeons’ garden

Suarezes’ family reunion

Possessive apostrophes with two or more nouns

If you have a group of words, where do you add the possessive apostrophe?
It depends on whether it’s joint possession or individual possession.

If two or more nouns all own the same thing (joint possession), add a
possessive apostrophe only to the last noun in the group. In this case, the
noun they own is singular.

father and daughter’s dance

Huey, Dewey, and Louie’s uncle Donald

If two or more nouns each own separate things of the same kind (individual
possession), add possessive apostrophes after each noun. Moreover, the
noun they own should always be plural.

prosecutor’s and defendant’s speeches

the hospital’s and clinic’s doctors

Possessive apostrophes with hyphenated words and

compound nouns

Hyphenated words and other compound nouns are multiple words working
together as one. English grammar considers them a single noun, so you add a
possessive apostrophe and an s only to the final word in the group.
 mother-in-law’s visit

ice cream’s cherry

Possessive apostrophes with noun phrases

A noun phrase is a group of words acting together as a single noun, usually

with adjectives and prepositional phrases. Just like with compound nouns, add
an apostrophe and s only to the final word.

the freckled kid in the back’s T-shirt

However, this can get confusing if the noun phrase is too long. It’s often better
to reword the sentence, showing possession with the preposition of rather
than with a possessive apostrophe.

the T-shirt of the freckled kid in the back

Possessive apostrophes with indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are a little more difficult because some of them use
possessive apostrophes and some don’t. Below are lists showing which do
and which don’t.

Indefinite pronouns that use possessive apostrophes

 another’s

 anybody’s

 anyone’s
 both’s

 each’s

 either’s

 everybody’s

 everyone’s

 neither’s

 nobody’s

 no one’s

 one’s

 other’s

 others’

 somebody’s

 someone’s

Indefinite pronouns that do not use possessive apostrophes

 all

 any

 anything

 everything
 few

 many

 most

 much

 none

 nothing

 several

 some

 something

 such

When not to use possessive apostrophes

Buildings and furniture

Usually when talking about buildings, furniture, and sometimes inanimate

objects, you don’t need possessive apostrophes at all. In these situations, the
noun of ownership is more like an adjective than a noun, so you don’t need to
add any extra punctuation or ans.

the hotel pool

the office basement

 the table legs

Years

In most cases adding a possessive apostrophe to a year is a mistake. An

exception is if you’re indicating that the year or years are possessive.

 She lived in Algeria in the early 1700s.

 The 1930s saw a downturn in the economy.

 The late 90’s embrace of SUVs changed the car market.

 It was 2022’s biggest news story.

Pronouns

Pronouns may take the place of nouns, but they have their own rules when it
comes to possessives.

Basically, there are two ways pronouns show possession. First, possessive
pronouns like mine or yours act as standalone nouns, often replacing nouns
that were already mentioned.

The neighbor’s grass is greener than mine.

That partner of yours is a bad influence.

Second, you can use possessive adjectives like my or your. Possessive

adjectives come before the noun they relate to, just like other adjectives.

My dream is to stay in bed all day.

I’m terrified of their parrot.

The important thing to remember is don’t use possessive apostrophes with

any pronouns, either possessive pronouns or possessive adjectives.

her’s sweater

her sweater

sweater of hers’

sweater of her’s

sweater of hers

If you see an apostrophe with a pronoun, it must be part of a contraction.

its—possessive adjective of it

it’s—contraction for “it is”

Possessive apostrophe FAQs

What are possessive apostrophes?

Possessive apostrophes are apostrophes (’) used with the letters at the end of
a noun to show ownership over or a close connection with another noun. For
example, if you were talking about the tail of your cat, you could say cat’s tail.

How do you use possessive apostrophes?

For singular nouns and irregular plural nouns, add an apostrophe and the
letters after the word. Regular plural nouns already end ins, so simply add an
apostrophe afters. Those are the basics, but there are more complicated
grammar rules for other types of nouns.

When should you not use a possessive apostrophe?

Do not use possessive apostrophes with pronouns, which have their own
unique possessive forms. Likewise, don’t use possessive apostrophes with
buildings or furniture. In these cases, the noun of ownership functions more as
an adjective than as a noun, such as in hotel pool or chair leg.