B1 English GrammarPossessive Forms (Saxon Genitive)
Express possession in English using apostrophe-s ('s), 'of', and possessive pronouns. Know when to use each form correctly.
1Apostrophe-S ('s) for Possession
Add 's to singular nouns and irregular plurals to show possession. For regular plurals ending in -s, add only an apostrophe ('). Use 's with people, animals, and time expressions.
Forming Possessives
| Noun Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | + 's | Tom's car, the dog's tail |
| Plural (regular) | + ' | the boys' room, the teachers' meeting |
| Plural (irregular) | + 's | children's toys, women's rights |
| Name ending in -s | + 's or ' | James's/James' book |
Examples
This is my sister's phone.
This is my sister's phone.
singular: sister + 's
The students' exams are on Friday.
The students' exams are on Friday.
plural: students + '
We went to the men's department.
We went to the men's department.
irregular plural: men + 's
I borrowed Charles's umbrella.
I borrowed Charles's umbrella.
name ending in -s: 's or '
2's with Time Expressions
Use 's with time expressions to show duration or a specific period. This is common with day, week, month, year, and moment.
Examples
I need a week's holiday.
I need a week's holiday.
a holiday of one week
It's ten minutes' walk from here.
It's ten minutes' walk from here.
plural: minutes + '
Today's news is shocking.
Today's news is shocking.
the news of today
I had a moment's hesitation.
I had a moment's hesitation.
hesitation of a moment
3Using 'of' for Possession
Use 'of' instead of 's for inanimate objects, abstract concepts, and longer noun phrases. 'Of' is also used when the possessor is very long or complex.
's vs 'of'
| Use 's | Use 'of' |
|---|---|
| People: John's idea | Things: the color of the car |
| Animals: the cat's tail | Places: the capital of France |
| Time: today's meeting | Abstract: the cost of living |
| Short: the boy's book | Long: the house of the old man at the corner |
Examples
The end of the movie was surprising.
The end of the movie was surprising.
not: the movie's end
The roof of the building needs repair.
The roof of the building needs repair.
inanimate object: use 'of'
The importance of education is clear.
The importance of education is clear.
abstract concept: use 'of'
I love the smell of fresh coffee.
I love the smell of fresh coffee.
not: coffee's smell
4Double Possessives and Whose
Sometimes we use both 'of' and 's together in expressions like 'a friend of John's'. Use 'whose' for possession in relative clauses (people and things).
Examples
She's a friend of my mother's.
She's a friend of my mother's.
double possessive: of + 's
Is this a painting of Picasso's?
Is this a painting of Picasso's?
one of his paintings
The woman whose car was stolen called the police.
The woman whose car was stolen called the police.
whose for people
The house whose roof collapsed is being demolished.
The house whose roof collapsed is being demolished.
whose for things (formal)