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ESL forum >
Ask for help > Possessive case
Possessive case
lcio
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Possessive case
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Dear native speakers!
Which version is correct:
Lars � book or Lars �s book
Thanks for your help!
Have a nice weekend!
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5 Jan 2013
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cunliffe
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Mariby is right. I will add that, in general, we do put the extra �s �. |
5 Jan 2013
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yanogator
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Yes, both are acceptable. However, it is easier to teach the simpler rule, that singular nouns always take �s to form the possessive. If everyone in the US had been taught that way, there would probably be far less confusion about apostrophes. Here, many people use them (in various ways) to form non-possessive plurals. Do your students a favor and teach the simpler form. Bruce |
5 Jan 2013
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ashishjoshi
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Both are acceptable but the first is more correct. According to me words ending with �s � always take only apostrophe mark. Eg. Girls � school, boys � hostel, Zeus � boon etc |
5 Jan 2013
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douglas
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I agree with Bruce-- �s is "more right" |
5 Jan 2013
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MarionG
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@ ashishjoshi
You are partly correct. If you look closely, all the examples you give are words which end with an �s � because they are plurals. The rule indeed states that for plurals ending in �s � we add only the apostrophe, without the additional �s �. (kids � corner - the Johnsons � home)
However, those word whose singular form ends in �s do get an �s � after the apostrophe.
(Lars �s progress - the boss �s salary)
@Icio, even though you addressed yourself to natives, I allow myself to offer this link to an interesting and comprehensive overview of possessives:
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5 Jan 2013
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cunliffe
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Marion, absolutely spot on. Specifically, those words whose singular form ends in �s do get an �s � after the apostrophe. |
5 Jan 2013
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