LESSON 3

• Possessive Form of Nouns

• Words Stressed on the second
Syllable
• Using the Apostrophe (‘)
• Writing a Thank you Letter
Learning Objectives;
• Recognize and use the possessive form of nouns
• Identify words stressed on the second syllable
• Use the Apostrophe correctly
• Plan, draft, edit, revise, and publish a thank-you
letter.
 The possessive form is used to signal ownership or
possession.

Here are some rules to follow in writing the possessive form

of nouns.

1. Add ‘s to singular nouns not ending in –s.

the lifeguard’s job
the club’s record book

2. Add ‘s to plural nouns not ending in –s.

the women’s aprons
the children’s floaters
3. Add only an apostrophe (‘) to plural nouns ending in –s.
the swimmers’ styles
the coaches’ rules

4. Add only an apostrophe (‘) to singular nouns ending in –s.

Dennis’ tennis rackets Mr. Santos’ hobby
The possessive form of nouns also have other uses, namely,

1. To show human relationships

Mrs. Reyes’ daughter Jeremy’s teacher
Alice’s neighbor

2. To show traits or characteristics

the girls’ eye Alex’s study habits

3. To tell that something is named after somebody

St. Paul’s Cathedral St. Mary’s school
Andoy’s shoe repair shop

4. To express measurement of time

an hour’s time a year’s period
a day’s work
5. To show a noun and another noun derived from a verb
the sun’s revolution the moon’s rotation
the earth’s rotation

6. To show source or origin

Walt Disney’s movies Eleanor Farjeon’s poems
Aesop’s Fables
 Possession can also be signaled by using the of-phrase.
the foot of the mountain
the mouth of the river
the sound of the bells

Note that the noun that follows of is an inanimate or

Nonliving thing.

The apostrophe (‘) or the ‘s ending can be used with names

Of higher animals.
the elephant’s trunk the horse’s mane
Identifying Words Stressed on the Second Syllable
 Using the Apostrophe (‘)
One of the most frequent uses of the apostrophe is in forming the possessive
of nouns

These are the following rules in using apostrophe with possessive nouns and
Pronouns:

1. If a noun ends in a letter other than s or z, add an apostrophe and s (‘s)

the women’s dresses the children’s toys

2. If a noun already ends with s or z, put the apostrophe (‘) after s or z.

the boys’ rackets Charles’ jacket
Mrs. Paz’ house the babies’ cribs
3. Use an apostrophe and s (‘) to make possessive forms of indefinite pronouns.
everybody’s birthday anyone’s books

4. Use an apostrophe and s (‘s) after the last word of a hyphenated

compound noun.
my sister – in – law’s house
the commander – in – chief’s car

5. Use an apostrophe and s (‘s) in certain expressions, usually in

expressions of time.
a year’s supply a week’s delay
a month’s time a day’s work
Writing a Thank – you Letter