Plural possessive apostrophes are used in English to indicate ownership or association with more than one person or entity.
This grammatical feature can often be confusing due to the varying placement of the apostrophe based on whether the word in question is pluralized regularly (with an “s”) or is an irregular plural.
Understanding how and where to correctly place the apostrophe in plural possessive forms is crucial for clear and precise writing.
Where Does the Apostrophe Go For Plural Possessive?
The placement of the apostrophe in plural possessives depends on how the noun forms its plural.
Here’s a simple guideline:
- If the plural of the noun ends in “s”, place the apostrophe after the existing “s”. For example, in the case of the word “dogs”, the plural possessive form is “dogs’ “, as in “The dogs’ leashes were tangled.”
- If the plural of the noun does not end in “s”, add an apostrophe followed by an “s” at the end of the word. This is common with irregular plural forms. For instance, for the word “children”, which is an irregular plural, the plural possessive form is “children’s”, as in “The children’s playground is newly renovated.”
This rule helps in determining the correct placement of the apostrophe and ensures the text conveys ownership clearly and effectively, particularly in formal writing and publishing contexts.
10 Plural Possessive Apostrophe Examples
Here are ten examples of plural possessive apostrophes, demonstrating their use with nouns that end in “s” and those that do not:
- The students’ books were left in the classroom. (Regular plural ending in “s”)
- The teachers’ lounge is on the second floor. (Regular plural ending in “s”)
- The children’s toys are scattered all over the house. (Irregular plural)
- The women’s restroom is on the right. (Irregular plural)
- The geese’s migration patterns vary each year. (Irregular plural)
- The cars’ engines were all started at the same time. (Regular plural ending in “s”)
- The sheep’s grazing area extends over the entire hill. (Irregular plural)
- The cats’ owner is very attentive to their needs. (Regular plural ending in “s”)
- The mice’s nest was hidden in the attic. (Irregular plural)
- The players’ uniforms are washed after every game. (Regular plural ending in “s”)
These examples help illustrate how the plural possessive apostrophe is used to show ownership or association with multiple entities, either by adding an apostrophe after the “s” in regular plurals or by adding “‘s” in irregular plurals.
Plural vs Possessive: Understanding the Differences
In English grammar, understanding the difference between plural and possessive forms is crucial for proper sentence construction and meaning.
Here’s a breakdown of both:
Plural
Definition: The plural form of a noun indicates that there is more than one of that noun. In most cases, plurals are formed simply by adding an “s” or “es” to the end of a word.
Examples:
Cat becomes cats.
Box becomes boxes.
Baby becomes babies (changing “y” to “ies”).
The plural form is purely a matter of number; it tells us that there is more than one of something, but it does not imply ownership.
Possessive
Definition: The possessive form of a noun indicates ownership, belonging, or association with someone or something.
This form often involves the use of an apostrophe followed by “s” (’s) or just an apostrophe at the end if the word is a plural noun ending in “s”.
Examples:
Singular: The cat’s toy (the toy belongs to one cat).
Plural: The cats’ toys (the toys belong to multiple cats; apostrophe after the “s”).
The possessive form is used to express that one thing owns or is associated with something else.
It can be used with both singular and plural nouns, with the placement and form of the apostrophe changing depending on the number and ending of the noun involved.
Key Differences
Number vs. Ownership: Plural forms denote more than one of something but do not convey ownership. Possessive forms indicate ownership or association, regardless of the number.
Apostrophe Usage: Plural forms do not use apostrophes unless turning a plural noun into a possessive. Possessive forms require an apostrophe and sometimes an “s” to denote ownership.
These distinctions help clarify sentence meanings and are essential for accurate communication in English.