Highlight: To form a singular possessive, add an apostrophe-s.
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
