LitWiki - User contributions [en]

What is the difference between possessives and plurals?

2005-04-21T16:52:07Z

Wbehel:

== What is the differences between Plurals and Possessvies? ==

Students get many points deducted, from a report, because they do not know the difference between possessives and plurals. The most common mistakes are with nouns and verbs. Remember, verbs, like "see" and "draw," will never use an apostrophe when "s" is added, as "s" denotes the present tense third person” (Engcit Grammar Online).

== Plurals ==

Plural means of or being a grammatical form that designates more than one of the things specified.

Two Types of Plurals:
*Regular Plurals
*Irregular Plurals

==Regular Plurals==
By adding an “s,” nouns can be changed to the plural form. That is not always the case. Some nouns will require more than just an “s” if wanted to change into a plural noun.
*Singular- boy
*Plural- boys
Here are a few ways plurals do not require just an “s” added on to a word.
*Nouns ending in y after a consonant or qu should be changed to -ies.
*Nouns that end in end that follows a vowel should be added on with an “s.”
*Some plural can only be pronounced by only adding a syllable. Add an “s” if the noun already ends in a silent “e.”
==Irregular Plurals==

*Nouns that end with -s, -z, -x, -sh, -ch
Add -es

Examples: glass/glasses, buzz/buzzes, box/boxes, bush/bushes, switch/switches

*Nouns that end in -o
Add -es

Examples: potato/potatoes, echo/echoes, hero/heroes
''*Note There may be come exceptions.''

*Nouns that end in a consonant + -y
Change -y to -i and add -es

Examples: baby/babies, spy/spies, poppy/poppies

*Nouns that end in -f, or -fe
Change the -f to -v and add -es

Examples:shelf/shelves, wolf/wolves, knife/knives, wife/wives

== Possessives ==

Possessives are a bit more confusing than plurals. Possessives are of, relating to, or being a noun or pronoun case that indicates possession.

There are two different possessives:
*possessives pronouns
*possessive nouns

==Possessive Pronouns==
Possessive pronouns do not require an apostrophe like possessive nouns do. If you are having a hard time deciding whether the word is possessive ask yourself the question who does it belong to? If the answer does not end in an “s, “then add an apostrophe “s” to the word. If the answer does end in and “s” then just add an apostrophe to the word.

Example:
*Bob's car is a Porsche. (the car belonging to Bob)
*The dog's collar is red. (the collar of the dog)
*My mother-in-law's job requires travel. (the job held by the mother-in-law) (Engcit Grammar Online)

==Possessive Nouns==
A possessive noun shows ownership. Possessive nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe and "s" or only an apostrophe.

See the words that tell who owns the bicycles?
* One girl's bicycle was pink.
* The twins' bicycle has two seats.
* The men's bicycles have large frames.

The words "girl's", "twins' ", and "men's" are possessive nouns. The possessive form of a noun shows that the person or thing named owns something.

Hint: “You would not be likely to misspell the possessive pronoun: his. You would not spell it hi's. Therefore, don't put an apostrophe in any of the other possessive pronouns: its, yours,theirs, hers, ours” (Writer’s Style Guide).

Overuses of apostrophes are one of the main reason points are deducted from papers. Do not put apostrophes just because it may look right. Make sure the apostrophes are supposed to be there (Engcit Grammar Online).

==Helpful Websites==
Plurals [http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/plurals.htm]
Possessives [http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/possessives.htm]
More Plurals[http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwesl/egw/crump.htm#Regular20Plural%20Forms]
Irregular Plurals [http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwesl/egw/pluralsn.htm]
== Works Citied ==

Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 5th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St.Martin's, 2003

Writer's Style Guide. 16 May 2003

http://www.utexas.edu/visualguidelines/plurals.html

Engcit Grammar Online. Plurals vs. Possessives. 10 Aug. 1999.

http://info.citruscollege.com/FF/tEiland/grammar/plurals.htm

What is an independent clause?

2005-04-05T17:36:26Z

Wbehel:

A clause is a group of words with a subject and verb, or recognized as a part of a sentence. A group of words that can stand by itself, have a subject and verb, and make a complete statement in a sentence is defined as an Independent Clause. Other groups of words that cannot stand-alone or does not have a subject and verb are dependant clauses.

== Distinguishing between dependent and independent clauses ==

Ways to help distinguish between independent and dependent clauses:

*who
*what
*when
*where
(Ask these questions after reading the sentence)

One way to help distinguish between an independent and dependant clause is to ask who, what, when or where after reading the sentence.

Example 1:

Micheal Vick surpassed all expectation in the National Football League, but did not make it to the Superbowl.

*If asked, “Who surpassed all expectations?” the answer will be Micheal Vick. Therefore, the first group of words is an independent clause and can stand alone as a complete sentence.(''Micheal Vick'' is the '''subject''' and ''surpassed'' is the '''verb''')

*In the second group of words, ask, “Who did not make it?” The only way to find out who is to look back into the first group of words (Micheal Vick did not make it). Therefore, the last group of words is dependant on the first group; the last group would be considered a dependent clause.

According to Darling, Charles, Guide to Grammar and Writing, 1999, Capital Community College Foundation, March 29, 2005 { http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/} independent clauses could stand by themselves as discrete sentences, except that when they do stand by themselves, separated from other clauses, they're normally referred to simply as sentences, not clauses. The ability to recognize a clause and to know when a clause is capable of acting as an independent unit is essential to correct writing and is especially helpful in avoiding sentence fragments and run on sentence.

== Combining Independent Clause ==

Needless to say, it is important to learn how to combine independent clauses into larger units of thought. In the following sentence, for example,

• Bob didn't mean to do it, but he did it anyway.

We have two independent clauses — "Bob didn't mean to do it" and "he did it anyway" — connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction ("but"). If the word "but" is missing from this sentence, the sentence would be called a comma splice: two independent clauses would be incorrectly connected, smooshed together, with only a comma between them. Furthermore, a long series of clauses of similar structure and length begins to feel monotonous, leading to what is called "Dick and Jane" or primer language.

== Works Cited ==

[http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/wr/wr_se_pa_cl.html]

[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_clause.html]

[http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/clauses.htm]

What is an independent clause?

2005-04-05T17:30:25Z

Wbehel:

A clause is a group of words with a subject and verb, or recognized as a part of a sentence. A group of words that can stand by itself, have a subject and verb, and make a complete statement in a sentence is defined as an Independent Clause. Other groups of words that cannot stand-alone or does not have a subject and verb are dependant clauses. One way to help distinguish between an independent and dependant clause is to ask who, what, when or where after reading the sentence.

Example 1:

Micheal Vick surpassed all expectation in the National Football League, but did not make it to the Superbowl.

*If asked, “Who surpassed all expectations?” the answer will be Micheal Vick. Therefore, the first group of words is an independent clause and can stand alone as a complete sentence.(''Micheal Vick'' is the '''subject''' and ''surpassed'' is the '''verb''')

*In the second group of words, ask, “Who did not make it?” The only way to find out who is to look back into the first group of words (Micheal Vick did not make it). Therefore, the last group of words is dependant on the first group; the last group would be considered a dependent clause.

According to Darling, Charles, Guide to Grammar and Writing, 1999, Capital Community College Foundation, March 29, 2005 { http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/} independent clauses could stand by themselves as discrete sentences, except that when they do stand by themselves, separated from other clauses, they're normally referred to simply as sentences, not clauses. The ability to recognize a clause and to know when a clause is capable of acting as an independent unit is essential to correct writing and is especially helpful in avoiding sentence fragments and run on sentence.

== Combining Independent Clause ==

Needless to say, it is important to learn how to combine independent clauses into larger units of thought. In the following sentence, for example,

• Bob didn't mean to do it, but he did it anyway.

We have two independent clauses — "Bob didn't mean to do it" and "he did it anyway" — connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction ("but"). If the word "but" is missing from this sentence, the sentence would be called a comma splice: two independent clauses would be incorrectly connected, smooshed together, with only a comma between them. Furthermore, a long series of clauses of similar structure and length begins to feel monotonous, leading to what is called "Dick and Jane" or primer language.

== Works Cited ==

[http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/wr/wr_se_pa_cl.html]

[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_clause.html]

[http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/clauses.htm]

What is an independent clause?

2005-04-05T17:29:37Z

Wbehel:

A clause is a group of words with a subject and verb, or recognized as a part of a sentence. A group of words that can stand by itself, have a subject and verb, and make a complete statement in a sentence is defined as an Independent Clause. Other groups of words that cannot stand-alone or does not have a subject and verb are dependant clauses. One way to help distinguish between an independent and dependant clause is to ask who, what, when or where after reading the sentence.

Example 1:

Micheal Vick surpassed all expectation in the National Football League, but did not make it to the Superbowl.

*If asked, “Who surpassed all expectations?” the answer will be Micheal Vick. Therefore, the first group of words is an independent clause and can stand alone as a complete sentence.(''Micheal Vick'' is the '''subject''' and ''surpassed'' is the '''verb''')

*In the second group of words, ask, “Who did not make it?” The only way to find out who is to look back into the first group of words (Micheal Vick did not make it). Therefore, the last group of words is dependant on the first group; the last group would be considered a dependent clause.

According to Darling, Charles, Guide to Grammar and Writing, 1999, Capital Community College Foundation, March 29, 2005 { http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/} independent clauses could stand by themselves as discrete sentences, except that when they do stand by themselves, separated from other clauses, they're normally referred to simply as sentences, not clauses. The ability to recognize a clause and to know when a clause is capable of acting as an independent unit is essential to correct writing and is especially helpful in avoiding sentence fragments and run on sentence.

== Combining Independent Clauses ==

Needless to say, it is important to learn how to combine independent clauses into larger units of thought. In the following sentence, for example,

• Bob didn't mean to do it, but he did it anyway.

We have two independent clauses — "Bob didn't mean to do it" and "he did it anyway" — connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction ("but"). If the word "but" is missing from this sentence, the sentence would be called a comma splice: two independent clauses would be incorrectly connected, smooshed together, with only a comma between them. Furthermore, a long series of clauses of similar structure and length begins to feel monotonous, leading to what is called "Dick and Jane" or primer language.

== Works Cited ==

[http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/wr/wr_se_pa_cl.html]

[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_clause.html]

[http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/clauses.htm]

What is the difference between possessives and plurals?

2005-04-05T17:26:36Z

Wbehel:

== What is the differences between Plurals and Possessvies? ==

Students get many points deducted from a report paper grade because students do not know the difference between possessives and plurals. “The most common mistakes are with nouns and verbs. Remember, verbs, like "see" and "draw," will never use an apostrophe when "s" is added, as "s" denotes the present tense third person” (Engcit Grammar Online).

== Plurals ==

Plural means of or being a grammatical form that designates more than one of the things specified.

==Regular Plurals==
By adding an “s,” nouns can be changed to the plural form. That is not always the case. Some nouns will require more than just an “s” if wanted to change into a plural noun.
*Singular- boy
*Plural- boys
Here are a few ways plurals do not require just an “s” added on to a word.
*Nouns ending in y after a consonant or qu should be changed to -ies.
*Nouns that end in end that follows a vowel should be added on with an “s.”
*Some plural can only be pronounced by only adding a syllable. Add an “s” if the noun already ends in a silent “e.”
==Irregular Plurals==

== Possessives ==

Possessives are a bit more confusing than plurals. Possessives are of, relating to, or being a noun or pronoun case that indicates possession.

There are two different possessives:
*possessives pronouns
*possessive nouns

==Possessive Pronouns==
Possessive pronouns do not require an apostrophe like possessive nouns do. If you are having a hard time deciding whether the word is possessive ask yourself the question who does it belong to? If the answer does not end in an “s, “then add an apostrophe “s” to the word. If the answer does end in and “s” then just add an apostrophe to the word.

Example:
*Bob's car is a Porsche. (the car belonging to Bob)
*The dog's collar is red. (the collar of the dog)
*My mother-in-law's job requires travel. (the job held by the mother-in-law) (Engcit Grammar Online)

==Possessive Nouns==
A possessive noun shows ownership. Possessive nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe and "s" or only an apostrophe.

See the words that tell who owns the bicycles?
* One girl's bicycle was pink.
* The twins' bicycle has two seats.
* The men's bicycles have large frames.

The words "girl's", "twins' ", and "men's" are possessive nouns. The possessive form of a noun shows that the person or thing named owns something.

Hint: “You would not be likely to misspell the possessive pronoun: his. You would not spell it hi's. Therefore, don't put an apostrophe in any of the other possessive pronouns: its, yours,theirs, hers, ours” (Writer’s Style Guide).

Overuses of apostrophes are one of the main reason points are deducted from papers. Do not put apostrophes just because it may look right. Make sure the apostrophes are supposed to be there (Engcit Grammar Online).

==Helpful Websites==
Plurals [http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/plurals.htm]
Possessives [http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/possessives.htm]
More Plurals [http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwesl/egw/crump.htm#Regular%20Plural%20Forms]
== Works Citied ==

Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 5th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St.Martin's, 2003

Writer's Style Guide. 16 May 2003

http://www.utexas.edu/visualguidelines/plurals.html

Engcit Grammar Online. Plurals vs. Possessives. 10 Aug. 1999.

http://info.citruscollege.com/FF/tEiland/grammar/plurals.htm

What is the difference between possessives and plurals?

2005-03-24T18:41:05Z

Wbehel:

== What is the differences between Plurals and Possessvies? ==

Students get many points deducted from a report paper grade because students do not know the difference between possessives and plurals. “The most common mistakes are with nouns and verbs. Remember, verbs, like "see" and "draw," will never use an apostrophe when "s" is added, as "s" denotes the present tense third person” (Engcit Grammar Online).

== Plurals ==

Plural means of or being a grammatical form that designates more than one of the things specified.

==Regular Plurals==
By adding an “s,” nouns can be changed to the plural form. That is not always the case. Some nouns will require more than just an “s” if wanted to change into a plural noun.
*Singular- boy
*Plural- boys
Here are a few ways plurals do not require just an “s” added on to a word.
*Nouns ending in y after a consonant or qu should be changed to -ies.
*Nouns that end in end that follows a vowel should be added on with an “s.”
*Some plural can only be pronounced by only adding a syllable. Add an “s” if the noun already ends in a silent “e.”
==Irregular Plurals==

== Possessives ==

Possessives are a bit more confusing than plurals. Possessives are of, relating to, or being a noun or pronoun case that indicates possession.

There are two different possessives:
*possessives pronouns
*possessive nouns

==Possessive Pronouns==
Possessive pronouns do not require an apostrophe like possessive nouns do. If you are having a hard time deciding whether the word is possessive ask yourself the question who does it belong to? If the answer does not end in an “s, “then add an apostrophe “s” to the word. If the answer does end in and “s” then just add an apostrophe to the word.

Example:
*Bob's car is a Porsche. (the car belonging to Bob)
*The dog's collar is red. (the collar of the dog)
*My mother-in-law's job requires travel. (the job held by the mother-in-law) (Engcit Grammar Online)

==Possessive Nouns==
A possessive noun shows ownership. Possessive nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe and "s" or only an apostrophe.

See the words that tell who owns the bicycles?
* One girl's bicycle was pink.
* The twins' bicycle has two seats.
* The men's bicycles have large frames.

The words "girl's", "twins' ", and "men's" are possessive nouns. The possessive form of a noun shows that the person or thing named owns something.

Hint: “You would not be likely to misspell the possessive pronoun: his. You would not spell it hi's. Therefore, don't put an apostrophe in any of the other possessive pronouns: its, yours,theirs, hers, ours” (Writer’s Style Guide).

Overuses of apostrophes are one of the main reason points are deducted from papers. Do not put apostrophes just because it may look right. Make sure the apostrophes are supposed to be there (Engcit Grammar Online).

==Helpful Websites==
Plurals [http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/plurals.htm]
Possessives [http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/possessives.htm]
[http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwesl/egw/crump.htm#Regular%20Plural%20Forms]
== Works Citied ==

Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 5th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St.Martin's, 2003

Writer's Style Guide. 16 May 2003

http://www.utexas.edu/visualguidelines/plurals.html

Engcit Grammar Online. Plurals vs. Possessives. 10 Aug. 1999.

http://info.citruscollege.com/FF/tEiland/grammar/plurals.htm

What is the difference between possessives and plurals?

2005-03-24T18:29:46Z

Wbehel:

== What is the differences between Plurals and Possessvies? ==

Students get many points deducted from a report paper grade because students do not know the difference between possessives and plurals. “The most common mistakes are with nouns and verbs. Remember, verbs, like "see" and "draw," will never use an apostrophe when "s" is added, as "s" denotes the present tense third person” (Engcit Grammar Online).

== Plurals ==

Plural means of or being a grammatical form that designates more than one of the things specified. By adding an “s,” nouns can be changed to the plural form. That is not always the case. Some nouns will require more than just an “s” if wanted to change into a plural noun.
*Singular- boy
*Plural- boys
Here are a few ways plurals do not require just an “s” added on to a word.
*Nouns ending in y after a consonant or qu should be changes to -ies.
*Nouns that end in end that follows a vowel should be added on with an “s.”
*Some plural can only be pronounced by only adding a syllable. Add an “s” if the noun already ends in a silent “e.”

== Possessives ==

Possessives are a bit more confusing than plurals. Possessives are of, relating to, or being a noun or pronoun case that indicates possession. There are two different possessives: possessives pronouns and possessive nouns. Possessive pronouns do not require an apostrophe like possessive nouns do. If you are having a hard time deciding whether the word is possessive ask yourself the question who does it belong to? If the answer does not end in an “s, “then add an apostrophe “s” to the word. If the answer does end in and “s” then just add an apostrophe to the word.
Example:
*Bob's car is a Porsche. (the car belonging to Bob)
*The dog's collar is red. (the collar of the dog)
*My mother in law's job requires travel. (the job held by the mother in law) (Engcit Grammar Online)

Hint: “You would not be likely to misspell the possessive pronoun: his. You would not spell it hi's. Therefore, don't put an apostrophe in any of the other possessive pronouns: its yours theirs hers ours” (Writer’s Style Guide).

Overuses of apostrophes are one of the main reason points are deducted from papers. Do not put apostrophes just because it may look right. Make sure the apostrophes are supposed to be there (Engcit Grammar Online).

==Helpful Websites==
Plurals [http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/plurals.htm]
Possessives [http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/possessives.htm]

== Works Citied ==

Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 5th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St.Martin's, 2003

Writer's Style Guide. 16 May 2003

http://www.utexas.edu/visualguidelines/plurals.html

Engcit Grammar Online. Plurals vs. Possessives. 10 Aug. 1999.

http://info.citruscollege.com/FF/tEiland/grammar/plurals.htm

Talk:What is the correct way to use punctuation with quotation marks?

2005-03-24T18:20:38Z

Wbehel:

I like the style you had with the entry. Many bolded area's and bullets to grab the attention. You may want to add links to other web pages that are similar to what you wrote about. - Dave Burkert

This entry has good examples. IT is easy to understand and find what you are looking for. IT does not have a works cited.
D Davis

I like this entry. I think you should have done an example for poetry like you did with the rest of the paper.
-Amberly Keough

Helpful Information. You have a lot of information I liked how you bulleted and seperated all of your information.
-Whitney Behel

Talk:What are “transitions”?

2005-03-24T18:11:36Z

Wbehel:

Good so far. Be sure you are citing all of your sources and providing a section for external links. Proofread some of your sentences for clarity. --[[User:Glucas|Glucas]] 11:05, 20 Oct 2004 (EDT)

The examples could be a little clearer.
-Amberly Keough

The entry is understandable and easy to read. There are a few errors with the bullets. D Davis

great wiki. easy to read. check for mistakes
-Daniel Epps

Very helpful Lit wiki. I liked how you use a lot of bullets and headings. It made important things stand out.
-Whitney Behel

Talk:What is a “run-on” sentence?

2005-03-24T18:08:54Z

Wbehel:

A lot of great information. You need to break up the long paragraphs and add a table of contents. The information just needs to broke up in to sections. Bold and add bullets to information. You could add links to the page and put a works cited area for where you got the information. - Dave Burkert

The long paragraphs take away from the information. I do not know for sur, but I don't think we were supposed to use "I".-Amberly Keough

This entry has a huge opening paragraph. I don't think people would want to read it to get the imformation. D Davis

You need to seperate your first paragraph. You have a lot of good information, but it does not stand out because its all stuck together. I liked how you linked your sources.
-Whitney Behel

Talk:What is “wordiness”?

2005-03-24T18:02:42Z

Wbehel:

The word states (you spelled it "state's") is spelled incorrectly.Clarify, or try to simplify facts.
-Amberly Keough

Define the first list for word choice and wordiness. The point was stated clearly through the paper.
-Robert Bartosh

If you stated what wordiness and redundency are, the topic would be a lot easier to understand. Your examples were helpful. You may want to space some of the different subjects out so certain topics will stand out.
-Whitney Behel

Talk:What is “tone”?

2005-03-24T17:57:11Z

Wbehel:

Try to make the sections a little more brief and to the point. Paragraphs of information do not catch the eye and make you want to read it, but try to bullet or bold information. These make the eye stop and read what is going on. You have great information within the wiki, but you just need to make it more appealing to eye. Think of it as you were scrolling the page quickly. What would catch your eye? Overall just need little revision.

Dave Burkert

This entry is full understandable ways of using tone in writting. The entry is also put together clearly. D Davis

Very good Lit wiki. You had a lot of information on what tone was. The examples were also very helpful. You may need to do a little revising.
-Whitney Behel

Talk:What is the “passive voice”?

2005-03-24T17:52:17Z

Wbehel:

You may want to explain what passive voice is a little clearer. I like how you stated when passive voice should be used. That topic was very helpful. You might want to open up the first paragraph in a way simialar to how you exlpained possessive tense.
- Whitney Behel

Talk:How do I know when I need to use a comma?

2005-03-24T17:46:28Z

Wbehel:

There were a few spelling errors,specifically hamster and together. Another thing is the paragraph before the eight rules could be narrowed slightly. I thought this was a good entry.
-Amberly Keough

I liked how you use the example to explain how to use the commas correctly. Check over your first paragraph you may want to re-word some of the sentences. Very helpful Lit wiki.
-Whitney Behel

Talk:How do I know when I need to use a comma?

2005-03-24T17:46:05Z

Wbehel:

There were a few spelling errors,specifically hamster and together. Another thing is the paragraph before the eight rules could be narrowed slightly. I thought this was a good entry.
-Amberly Keough
I liked how you use the example to explain how to use the commas correctly. Check over your first paragraph you may want to re-word some of the sentences. Very helpful Lit wiki.
-Whitney Behel

What is the difference between possessives and plurals?

2005-03-03T17:20:12Z

Wbehel:

== What is the differences between Plurals and Possessvies? ==

Students get many points deducted from a report paper grade because students do not know the difference between possessives and plurals. “The most common mistakes are with nouns and verbs. Remember, verbs, like "see" and "draw," will never use an apostrophe when "s" is added, as "s" denotes the present tense third person” (Engcit Grammar Online).

== Plurals ==

Plural means of or being a grammatical form that designates more than one of the things specified. By adding an “s,” nouns can be changed to the plural form. That is not always the case. Some nouns will require more than just an “s” if wanted to change into a plural noun.
*Singular- boy
*Plural- boys
Here are a few ways plurals do not require just an “s” added on to a word.
*Nouns ending in y after a consonant or qu should be changes to -ies.
*Nouns that end in end that follows a vowel should be added on with an “s.”
*Some plural can only be pronounced by only adding a syllable. Add an “s” if the noun already ends in a silent “e.”

== Possessives ==

Possessives are a bit more confusing than plurals. Possessives are of, relating to, or being a noun or pronoun case that indicates possession. There are two different possessives: possessives pronouns and possessive nouns. Possessive pronouns do not require an apostrophe like possessive nouns do. If you are having a hard time deciding whether the word is possessive ask yourself the question who does it belong to? If the answer does not end in an “s, “then add an apostrophe “s” to the word. If the answer does end in and “s” then just add an apostrophe to the word.
Example:
*Bob's car is a Porsche. (the car belonging to Bob)
*The dog's collar is red. (the collar of the dog)
*My mother in law's job requires travel. (the job held by the mother in law) (Engcit Grammar Online)

Hint: “You would not be likely to misspell the possessive pronoun: his. You would not spell it hi's. Therefore, don't put an apostrophe in any of the other possessive pronouns: its yours theirs hers ours” (Writer’s Style Guide).

Overuses of apostrophes are one of the main reason points are deducted from papers. Do not put apostrophes just because it may look right. Make sure the apostrophes are supposed to be there (Engcit Grammar Online).

== Works Citied ==

Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 5th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St.Martin's, 2003

Writer's Style Guide. 16 May 2003

http://www.utexas.edu/visualguidelines/plurals.html

Engcit Grammar Online. Plurals vs. Possessives. 10 Aug. 1999.

http://info.citruscollege.com/FF/tEiland/grammar/plurals.htm