Here the examples and detailed discussions will certainly make the readers realize how possessive nouns are used in singular number.
Possessive noun refers to the possession, belonging or ownership of a person, place or thing. A singular possessive noun means the reference of the possession or ownership of a single person or thing. Singular possessive noun actually indicates ownership and connection of a singular noun to another element in the sentence.
The rules of making possessive nouns are as follows;
1. We need to add an apostrophe (‘) and s (‘s) to make the possessive form of a singular noun.
Ex- boy- boy’s, girl-girl’s
2. We add only an apostrophe (‘) with the singular noun ending with s.
Ex- Keats- Keats’
3. For a plural noun ending with s we add only apostrophe (‘) to make it a possessive noun.
Ex- girls- girls’
4. When compound nouns refer to one word we need to add an apostrophe (‘) and s with the last word.
Ex- father-in-law- father’s-in-law, brother-in-law- brother’s-in-law
5. When we make a possessive noun of an inanimate object we have to use ‘of’ before the concerned noun.
Ex-the table- of the table, the window- of the window
Can possessive nouns be singular?
Possessive nouns are found in singular forms. When a singular noun is made possessive by adding an apostrophe (‘) and an s with the noun is called singular possessive noun. It expresses the possession or belonging of one person, place or thing. Singular possessive nouns are used in the English language in a large way.
The singular possessive nouns refer to the belonging or possession of singular nouns. It means that the singular noun has something.
Examples;
- 1. Lalon’s car is in the garage.
- 2. Have you put the book on the teacher’s desk?
- 3. Ankur’s sister has done the sum correctly.
- 4. Tom’s notebooks are lying on the table.
- 5. We had a lovely time at Chandrayee’s wedding ceremony.
Detailed explanations
1. Lalon’s car is in the garage.
Explanation- In the above example the word ‘Lalon’s’ indicates the possession of another noun ‘car’. So it is an example of a singular possessive noun.
2. Have you put the book on the teacher’s desk?
Explanation-In this sentence ‘teacher’s’ is an example of singular possessive noun. It refers to the possession of a single person or another noun ‘desk’.
3. Ankur’s sister has done the sum correctly.
Explanation- The above example shows the ownership of Ankur through the possessive form ‘Ankur’s’. It clearly shows the example of a single possessive noun.
4. Tom’s notebooks are lying on the table.
Explanation- In the example the possessive form ‘Tom’s’ shows the Tom’s possession. This indicates a singular possessive noun.
5. We had a lovely time at Chandrayee’s wedding ceremony.
Explanation- Here the word ‘Chandrayee’s’ shows her belonging to a wedding ceremony. So it is a singular possessive noun.
When are possessive nouns singular?
A possessive noun is a noun that possesses something i.e.it has something. When the singular nouns express the possession and ownership of another nouns are regarded as singular possessive nouns. We use singular possessive nouns to show the possessions of any singular noun.
Singular possessive nouns can be used to refer to the possession or belonging of something.
Examples;
1. I have been invited to my boss’s house for dinner.
Explanation- Here the singular noun is boss. His possession has been stated.
2. Lila’s dog is very nice to look at.
Explanation- The example shows the ownership of the singular noun ‘Lila’. The singular possessive noun is seen.
Which possessive nouns are singular?
A singular possessive noun shows that a person, place, thing or animal owns something. The singular possessive nouns are the nouns that refer to a single person, place or thing. It means that a single person, animal or thing possesses something. The words boy, man, tiger, table, teacher etc are concrete singular nouns.
They are in the category of singular possessive nouns. These nouns show the singular possessive nouns in English.
Examples;
1. Tom’s cousins are jolly for words.
Explanation- In the sentence the singular noun ‘Tom’ has the possession of another noun ‘cousins’. It is a singular possessive noun example.
2. Dog’s tail cannot be turned straight.
Explanation- Here the noun ‘dog’ indicates its belonging. It refers to the single possessive noun.
Why are possessive nouns singular?
A possessive noun is singular because it mentions the possession of one Place, person, animal or thing. Singular possessive nouns are used to refer to only one of the above singular nouns. Though plural possessive nouns are seen singular possessive nouns are frequent in English grammar.
The singular possessive nouns express the possession or belonging of singular nouns. Singular number nouns can show the possession very clearly.
Examples;
1. This is my father’s sweater.
Explanation- This example shows the belonging of a singular noun ‘father’. The noun father is always used as a singular possessive noun.
2. My uncle’s behaviour pleases us.
Explanation- The singular noun ‘uncle’ is used as a singular possessive noun. His possession is referred to here.
Which possessive nouns are always singular?
A noun may be a singular or plural. If a singular noun owns something it is singular possessive noun. In English there are some nouns that we can use only as a singular possessive noun. We can certainly use common nouns a singular possessive noun. Common nouns are always singular possessive nouns.
Proper nouns are always used as singular possessive nouns. Proper nouns are uncountable. So they are always used as singular possessive nouns also.
Examples;
1. The town’s water is supplied to all the dwellers.
Explanation- Here the ‘town’ is a common noun. Its water is mentioned and refers to singular possessive nouns.
2. When the car’s engine faltered we took some rest.
Explanation- In this example the common noun ‘car’ shows its belonging to another noun engine. The possession of a singular noun is revealed in the stated sentence.
Proper nouns are used as singular possessive nouns when proper nouns indicate the possession of another noun. The possessive proper nouns are always singular. Proper nouns are uncountable nouns. Their possessive nouns are always singular in number.
Examples;
1.Shakespeare’s plays are taught in universities all over the world.
Explanation- In this example ‘Shakespeare’ is a proper noun. His possession is referred to here as a singular possessive noun.
2.India’s cricket team is able to defeat any cricket team in the world.
Explanation- Here ‘India’ is a proper noun. This singular proper noun’s possession is being shown here as a singular possessive noun.
Which possessive nouns can either be singular or plural?
There is a huge quantity of nouns that can be either singular or plural in showing possession. Most of the nouns that belong to the category of common nouns show possession in both singular number and plural number. We can use a common noun in a singular possessive noun and again we can use it as a plural possessive noun also.
The following sentences clearly show that some nouns can either be singular or plural.
Example;
1. The girl’s school bag was stolen yesterday.
Explanation- Here the common noun ‘girl’ has been used as a singular possessive noun.
2. There is a girls’ school in our village.
Explanation- This example shows that the common noun ‘girls’ is used as a plural number here. The possession of the plural noun is shown in this example.
Conclusion
The article has clearly shown the usages of possessive nouns in singular numbers. The readers will be able to get sound knowledge on the singular possessive nouns.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.