Unit 9: Plural Possessive Nouns

Understanding Plural Possessive Nouns

A plural possessive noun shows ownership by more than one person, animal, or thing. To form plural possessives, we follow two main rules based on how the plural noun is spelled.

  • Rule 1: Plural nouns ending in -s. If a plural noun ends in -s (like girls, teachers, dogs), you simply add an apostrophe(‘) to the end. Do not add another s.
  • Example: The room belonging to the sisters = The sisters’ room.
  • Rule 2: Plural nouns not ending in -s. If a plural noun is irregular and does not end in -s (like children, men, mice), you add an apostrophe and an s (‘s).
  • Example: The toys belonging to the children = The children’s toys.
Illustration 1

Grammar Tip: Don’t Get Confused!

Do not confuse plural nouns (more than one) with plural possessive nouns (ownership). A plural noun usually hasno apostrophe. A possessive noun always has an apostrophe.

Wrong: The dog’s are barking. (This implies ownership but means plural).

Right: The dogs are barking. (Simple plural).

Right:The dogs’ collars are red. (Plural Possessive).

Exercise 1: Regular Plural Possessives

Rewrite the following phrases using a plural possessive noun. These plurals all end in -s.

  1. The uniforms that belong to the cheerleaders → The ________________ uniforms.
  2. The helmets that belong to the football players → The ________________ helmets.
  3. The horns that belong to the trumpeters → The ________________ horns.
  4. The nests that belong to the birds → The ________________ nests.
  5. The grades of the students→ The ________________ grades.
  6. The houses of the neighbors → The ________________ houses.
  7. The cars belonging to the teachers → The ________________ cars.
  8. The tails of the monkeys → The ________________ tails.
Exercise 2: Irregular Plural Possessives

Write the possessive form for these irregular plural nouns. Remember to add ‘s.

  1. children → ________________
  2. men → ________________
  3. women → ________________
  4. people → ________________
  5. mice → ________________
  6. geese → ________________
  7. teeth → ________________
  8. oxen → ________________
Illustration 2
Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Form

Circle the correct word to complete each sentence.

  1. The (girls / girls’ / girl’s) soccer teamwon the championship. (Plural)
  2. We heard the (ponies / ponies’/ ponie’s) hooves on the pavement.
  3. The (mens’ / men’s / mens)choir sang beautifully.
  4. All the (foxes’ / foxs’ / foxes) denswere hidden in the forest.
  5. The (mice’s / mices’ / mice) cheese was gone.
  6. Please put the (babies / babies’ / babys’) bottles on the counter.
  7. The (buses / buses’ / bus’) engines were loud.
  8. (Lions / Lions’ / Lion’s) roars can be heard from far away.
Exercise 4: Identifying Noun Types

Read the underlined word. Write P for Plural Noun (no ownership) orPP for Plural Possessive Noun (ownership).

  1. The instructors gave a test to theclass. ______
  2. The instructors’ answer keys were on thedesk. ______
  3. The waves crashed against the shore. ______
  4. The waves’ height frightened the swimmers. ______
  5. The libraries are closed on Sundays. ______
  6. The libraries’ books are being organized. ______
  7. The doctors held a meeting. ______
  8. The doctors’ coats are white. ______
Exercise 5: Making Sentences

Use the following plural possessive nouns in a completesentence.

  1. (sisters’) _______________________________________________________
  2. (players’) _______________________________________________________
  3. (women’s) _______________________________________________________
  4. (friends’) _______________________________________________________
  5. (cats’) __________________________________________________________
  6. (teachers’) ______________________________________________________
  7. (feet’s) _________________________________________________________
  8. (drivers’) _______________________________________________________
Exercise 6: Rewrite the Phrase

Change the “of” phrase into a possessive noun phrase.

  1. The tools of the carpenters → ________________________________
  2. The recipes of the chefs → ___________________________________
  3. The toys of the puppies → ___________________________________
  4. The ideas of the writers → ___________________________________
  5. Therights of the people → ___________________________________
  6. The antlers of the deer → ____________________________________
  7. The computers of the programmers → ___________________________
  8. The feathers of the turkeys → _________________________________
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