APOSTROPHE (SHOWING POSSESSION)

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

APOSTROPHE (SHOWING OWNERSHIP)

5. When an item belongs to two or more persons, the last of the owners to be mentioned reflects the possession:
The book is ~Kunle’s, Femi’s and Wale’s~. ❌
The book is *Kunle, Femi and Wale’s*. ✔️

6. When different items belong to different persons, each owner reflects ownership:
The book is ~Kunle, Femi and Wale’s~. ❌
The books are *Kunle, Femi and Wale’s*. ✔️

7. Units of time such as hour, day and so on should attract apostrophe:
Ijebu is ~an hour drive~ from here.❌
Ijebu is *an hour’s drive*. from here. ✔️
8. When there is ownership within ownership, each possession is indicated:
She is my ~mum’s friend daughter~. ❌
She is my *mum’s friend’s daughter*. ✔️
GAB