Possessive rules can be easy, but can also get a little tricky when we move beyond just adding ‘s.
Possessive Rules are all about ownership and can be narrowed down to a couple of categories: singular and plural.
Singular Possessive Rule
Singular Possessive Rule is to show ownership for a singular owner, add ‘s to the singular form of the noun.
For example: the eyes of my sister would become my sister’s eyes.
Practice!
Sample 1:
The pony’s tail is fluffy.
Ask the student: Who owns something? (the pony), What is the possessive of the pony? (pony’s), What does the pony own? (its tail)
Sample 2:
The book’s cover is colorful.
Ask the student: Who owns something? (the book), What is the possessive of the book? (book’s), What does the book own? (its cover)
Plural Possessive Rule
Plural Possessive Rule is to show ownership for multiple owners. To make a plural possessive, first you write the plural of the noun.
If the noun ends in an s, add an apostrophe to the end, s’. For example: The sleeping bags of those girls would become, those girls’ sleeping bags.
If the noun does not end in an s, you would add ‘s to get the plural possessive. For example: The job of policemen, would be, those policemen’s job.
Practice!
Sample 1:
Those ponies’ tails are fluffy.
Ask the student: Who owns something? (the ponies), What is the possessive of the ponies? (ponies’) – why? (because ponies ends in s, we can just add an apostrophe to the end), What do the ponies own? (their tail)
Sample 2:
Those women’s hats are red.
Ask the student: Who owns something? (women), What is the possessive of women? (women’s) – Why? (because women is an irregular plural that does not end in s, so we add ‘s), What does the women own? (their hats)
Want to know more? Want worksheets? Find more information in these resources.
OG for All Workbook Two: Workbook Two – Orton Gillingham for All (ogforall.com)
OG for All, Scope & Sequence Workbook 3: Scope and Sequence Book 3 – Orton Gillingham for All (ogforall.com)