Possessives Edit

A singular or plural noun is transformed to its possessive form to show its ownership or possession.
To form a possessive of a singular or plural noun, add ‘s to the end of the word. This is regardless of whether the singular noun ends with an s or if the plural noun doesn’t end with an s. Most plurals already end with an s; for these plurals, add an apostrophe at the end without an additional s.

Examples

Singular nouns

• John’s software
• Buzz’s laptop
• application’s password
• bus’s architecture
• business’s manager
• class’s description
• CSS’s file
• OEM’s product
• Chris’s key or Chris’ key
• Mr. Williams’s suitcase or Mr. Williams’ suitcase

Exception: If a proper noun ends with an s, you can either use an apostrophe and s or just an apostrophe.
Exception: The possessive of it is its and doesn’t have an apostrophe. Be wary of common mistakes such as confusing its with it’s (a contraction for it is).

Plural nouns

• computers’ keyboards
• buses’ architecture
• arrays’ elements
• business’ earnings
• classes’ declaration
• OEMs’ products
• Jones’ programs
• Williams’ websites

Don’t use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns.

Examples

Company-, product-, and brand-name possessives

Add an apostrophe and s to the end of a company, product, or brand name. In general, avoid forming possessives of company, product or brand names, regardless of who owns the name.

Examples

Last updated: April 5, 2021