Formation of Possessive Case in English with Examples

When a noun or pronoun shows possession, it is said to be in the Possessive case or genitive case. This is true most of the time, but not always. Sometimes we use possessive cases to denote authorship, origin, kind, etc. In this post, we will learn about various rules applied to the formation of the possessive case in English grammar with examples. To know more about different cases of nouns, refer to my earlier post on Cases of Nouns: Nominative, Accusative, and Possessive.

Let’s understand the formation of the possessive case with these two examples-

1. Shirly’s bag is on the table.
2. The dog bit the cat’s tail.

In sentence 1, Shirly’s bag means the bag possessed by Shirly or the bag belonging to Shirly.

In sentence 2, the cat’s tail means the tail belonging to the cat.

Here, the form of nouns Shirly and cat is changed to Shirly’s and cat’s to show possession or ownership. The (‘) used to show possession is called an apostrophe.

It is important to note here that to form a possessive case we cannot simply add (-‘s) at the end of every noun. There are certain rules for the formation of a possessive or genitive case that depend on the state of a noun. Let’s understand these rules for the formation of a possessive case.

RULES FOR FORMATION OF POSSESSIVE OR GENITIVE CASE

Rule 1: Singular Noun

For a singular noun, to form a possessive case, we add (-‘s). Whereas, in the case of a singular noun that ends in (-s), we can add (-‘) or (-‘s) both are acceptable.

Formation of Possessive Case for Singular Noun with Examples

Rule 2: Plural Noun

For the formation of possessive cases with plural nouns that end in (-s), we add just an apostrophe (-‘) after (-s). That is, we do not add (-‘s); we use only (-‘). Whereas, in the case of plural nouns that do not end in (-s), we simply add (-‘s).

Formation of Possessive Case for Plural Nouns in English with Examples

Rule 3: Living and Nonliving Things

We use (-‘) or (-‘s) only with living beings. We do not use an apostrophe with nonliving objects. The reason for this is that, unlike living things, non-living things cannot own things. However, as an exception, some people still use possessive cases for non-living things, though here the ‘of‘ construction is better. For example, instead of a glider’s wing, we should use the wings of a glider. Similarly, the usage of the heating system of the train is better than the train’s heating system.

Rule 4: Compound Noun

When a noun or a title consists of several words, we attach (-‘s) only to the last word.

• The king of Nepal’s visit.
• The Prime Minister of India’s speech.
• My brother-in-law’s guitar.
• Henry the Eighth’s wife.
• The Prince of Wales’s helicopter

Rule 5: Nouns in Apposition

When two nouns are in apposition, to form a possessive case we add (-‘s) to the latter. Apposition means placing near. Therefore, when one noun follows another to describe it, the noun which follows is said to be in apposition. For example,

• That is Tagore the poet’s house.
• This is Kabir, the great reformer’s poem.
• Have you seen Ganguli, the artist’s drawing?

Rule 6: Connected Noun in the same Sentence

When two nouns closely connected with each other appear in the same sentence, then we add (-‘s) to the latter. For examples,

• John and Robert’s bakery.
• Jesus and Prophet’s teachings.

However, if two or more connected nouns imply separate possession, then we add (-‘s) to both nouns separately.

• Raja Rao’s and R K Narayan’s novels.
• Goldsmith’s and Cowper’s poems.

SPECIAL USE OF POSSESSIVE OR GENITIVE CASE

Mostly we use possessive cases to show possession. However, sometimes we use possessive expressions of time, money, authorship, kind, etc.

Special Use of Possessive Case

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