APOSTROPHE (SHOWING OWNERSHIP)

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

APOSTROPHE (SHOWING OWNERSHIP)

1. A singular noun that does not end in s attracts an apostrophe and an s:
This is Femis book. ❌
This is Femi’s book. ✔️

2. A singular noun that ends in /s/ sound can attract apostrophe or apostrophe and an s:
James bag is on the table. ❌
James’ bag is on the table. ✔️
James’ bag is on the table. ✔️
We pray in Jesus name. ❌
We pray in Jesus’ name. ✔️
We pray in Jesus’s name. ✔️

3. A plural noun that does not end in s, attracts apostrophe and an s:
This is my childrens preference. ❌
This is my childrens’ preference. ❌
This is my children’s preference. ✔️

4. Plural nouns that end is s attracts apostrophe alone:
I know my lecturers preference. ❌
I know my lecturers’ preference. ✔️
GAB