More Uses of Apostrophe s

More uses of apostrophe s

There are many uses of Apostrophe s and in this lesson, we will discuss them one by one.

Apostrophe s replaces “the”

The possessive ending in ‘s or s’ can replace the article “the.”

Example 1:

  • The car belonging to John is parked outside.
  • John’s car is parked outside.

Example 2:

  • The book that belongs to Mary is on the table.
  • Mary’s book is on the table.

Apostrophe s with people and animals

The possessive ‘s or s’ should be used with people and animals, not things

Examples:

  • Emmy’s purse
  • John’s car
  • My husband’s book (NOT the book of my husband)
  • The pockets of the coat (NOT the coat’s pockets)

Example sentences:

  • The friends’ weekend getaway was a memorable experience.
  • You can see the church from the window of the living room.
  • The students’ backpacks were left in the classroom.

Apostrophe s without another noun

We can use noun + ‘s or s’ without another noun, if the meaning is clear.

Examples:

  • My hair is black, but not my children’s.
  • Our house is cozy, but not our friends’.

We often use nouns + ‘s or s’ without another noun to talk about people’s homes.

Examples: 

  • I went to John and Sarah’s on Friday.  (= I went to John and Sarah’s house on Friday)
  • She likes to visit my sister’s on weekends.  (= She likes to visit my sister’s home on weekends)

Quiz

Question 1
The house belonging to Sarah and Mark is painted blue.
Sarah and Mark’s house is painted blue
Sarah’s and Mark’s house is painted blue
Sarah and Mark house is painted blue
None of the above
Next Question
Question 2
The bike that belongs to Mike was stolen.
Mike bike was stolen
Mike’s bike was stolen
Bike of Mike was stolen
None of the above
Next Question
Question 3
The cat belonging to Sarah caught a mouse.
Sarah’s cat caught a mouse
The Sarah’s cat caught a mouse
The cat of Sarah caught a mouse
None of the above
Next Question
Question 4
The pen of the teacher is on the desk.
Teacher’s pen is on the desk
The teacher’s pen is on the desk
The pen teacher is on the desk
The teacher pen is on the desk
Next Question
Question 5
“I hate going to the dentist’s clinic” can also be written as
I hate going to the clinic
I hate going out
I hate going to the dentist’s
None of the above
Next Question
Score: / 5
  1. The house belonging to Sarah and Mark is painted blue.
    1. Sarah and Mark’s house is painted blue
    2. Sarah’s and Mark’s house is painted blue
    3. Sarah and Mark house is painted blue
    4. None of the above
    Explanation:

    The possessive apostrophe s (‘s) is used to indicate joint ownership of the house by Sarah and Mark.

  2. The bike that belongs to Mike was stolen.
    1. Mike bike was stolen
    2. Mike’s bike was stolen
    3. Bike of Mike was stolen
    4. None of the above
    Explanation:

    The possessive apostrophe s (‘s) is used to indicate ownership of the bike by Mike.

  3. The cat belonging to Sarah caught a mouse.
    1. Sarah’s cat caught a mouse
    2. The Sarah’s cat caught a mouse
    3. The cat of Sarah caught a mouse
    4. None of the above
    Explanation:

    The possessive apostrophe s (‘s) is used to indicate ownership of the cat by Sarah.

  4. The pen of the teacher is on the desk.
    1. Teacher’s pen is on the desk
    2. The teacher’s pen is on the desk
    3. The pen teacher is on the desk
    4. The teacher pen is on the desk
    Explanation:

    The possessive apostrophe s (‘s) is used to indicate ownership of the pen by the teacher.

  5. “I hate going to the dentist’s clinic” can also be written as
    1. I hate going to the clinic
    2. I hate going out
    3. I hate going to the dentist’s
    4. None of the above
    Explanation:

    Note that we can use noun + s’ or ‘s without another noun for offices, churches and some shops. In place of saying, “I hate going to the dentist’s clinic”, we can say “I hate going to the dentist’s” as the meaning is clear. 

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