LANGUAGE AND SPELLING III

POSSESSIVE NOUNS

Study the two sets of sentences below and compare them.

1.    Alex found the bag of Linda.                 Alex found Linda’s bag.

2.    This is the book of Jess.                       This is Jess’s book.

3.    I borrowed the ruler of Maritess.        I borrowed Maritess’s ruler.

4.    She sells accessories for ladies.              She sells ladies’ accessories.

5.    My mother is a member                        My mother is a member of a

of a club for women.                                      women’s club.

6.    The feathers of the geese                      The geese’s feathers are white.

are white.

What do the phrases in both sets express? What is the difference between the phrases?

These phrases show possession. Nouns are in the possessive form if they show ownership. Notice the phrases in set B. What punctuation mark is used? What is its use? Read these words: Linda’s, Jess’s, Maritess’s, women’s and geese’s. What letter follows the punctuation mark? How about the word ladies’, Why does it only end with a punctuation?

The possessive form of most singular nouns end in an apostrophe and an s ( ‘s ). Let’s take a look at these examples: the ship’s sails                        the cat’s fur

Most plural nouns end in s. an apostrophe ( ‘ ) is added to these nouns to form their possessive. Let’s take a look at these examples: 

the swans’ long necks                                the soldiers’ uniforms

Some plural nouns do not end in s. and apostrophe and an s ( ‘s ) are added to these nouns to form their possessive. Examples: the oxen’s tails    the men’s tools

Some proper nouns end in s, x or z. in writing their possessive form, we follow the general rule. We add an apostrophe and an s ( ‘s ) to singular nouns and an apostrophe ( ‘ ) only to plural nouns. Let’s take a look at these examples for singular nouns: Mrs. Martinez’s class   Mr. Reyes’s son       Atty. Palafox’s brother

                    Examples for plural nouns: the Reyeses’ house      the Martinezes’ restaurants

                                                           the Palafoxes’ party

Acronyms and dates also have possessive forms. We add an apostrophe and an s ( ‘s ). Let’s take a look at these examples: GMA’s speech            2012’s tragedies

Use the word of for inanimate nouns (nonliving). Let’s take a look at these examples: the color of the car  the fruits of the tree  the legs of the table

Now, try to answer the activities in the book on pages 68 - 69 (not recorded).

Prepared by: Ms. Jaaziel G. Reyes :)

Keep safe! Missing you ;)