P7-a Use an apostrophe to show the possessive form of a noun.

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The form of a possessive noun depends on whether it is singular (one item) or plural (two or more items).

Add -’s to a singular noun to show possession.

a student’s parents the rabbit’s eye Ward’s essay

Be sure to include the apostrophe and to place it before the -s so that the reader does not mistakenly think that the noun is plural.

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Indicate shared or joint possession by adding -’s to the final noun in a list; indicate individual possession by adding -’s to each noun.

Indicate possession by adding -’s to the last word in a compound.

Even if a singular noun ends in s, add an apostrophe and -s.

If the second s makes the word hard to pronounce, it is acceptable to add only an apostrophe.

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To make plural nouns possessive, add -’s if the noun does not already end in s, and add only an apostrophe if it does.

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Note: Form the plural of a family name by adding -s without an apostrophe (the Harrisons); add the apostrophe only to show possession (the Harrisons’ house).