“The government” is an entity (a “thing”) that requires singular verb forms and singular possessive pronouns. Cite it. Possessives versus Adjectival Labels Let’s take a look at some of the various approaches for this possessive. This can include strict ownership, or a number of other types of relation to a greater or lesser degree analogous to it.. Examples include “the duck’s quack,” “the girl’s doll,” and “the man’s son.” Be careful not to use plural verb tenses and plural possessive pronouns with singular nouns. How to use possessive in a sentence. For example, there is an Australian Workers' Union and Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. Possessive forms are frequently modifiers for verb forms used as nouns, or gerunds. But a simpler, more common and concise way, is to change the noun that does the possessing: • The boy’s dog shed hair on the floor. The singular, plural, or possessive form of a word. Plurals. ... or other business entity may continue using such name until the limited liability company dissolves or amends its name in the records of the department. More is involved, however. In the latter example, we’re speaking of “hospital staff” as a single entity – a “body” (or group) of people that includes physicians and nurses. Possessive is commonly used here. When indicating the possessive, if there is more than one owner add an apostrophe to the plural; if there is one owner, add 's to the singular (The Smiths' car vs. Smith's car). For example, there is an Australian Workers' Union and Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. This can be tricky, especially when the nouns in question refer to entities (e.g. "This book helps you understand what entity possession is, the various forms it takes . They are used less often than short-form possessive adjectives, but you should still know them. To form the possessive, add apostrophe + s to the noun. Write it. companies, governments) that contain a lot of people. Juan and Marlene’s Children? A few months ago (November) I was viciously attacked by an entity which I've posted already on YGS (The Night Strangler). [and] how you can release these entities." Juan and Marlene’s Children? The possessive pronouns are my, our, your, his, her, its, and their.There’s also an “independent” form of each of these pronouns: mine, ours, yours, his, hers, its, and theirs.Possessive pronouns are never spelled with apostrophes. To form the possessive, add apostrophe + s to the noun. Also consider, “Our office goes out to lunch every Tuesday.” It would not be correct to say, “Our office hold an annual party” or “Our office go out to lunch every Tuesday.” Here, “hold” and “go” (plural forms of the verbs “to hold” and “to go”, respectively) do not “match” the singular noun “our office”. Contact a customer support specialist at 1-206-494-5992. • The talent of the singer is apparent after seeing her show. Possessive pronouns show that something belongs to someone. If the noun is plural, or already ends in s, just add an apostrophe after the s. Possessive definition, jealously opposed to the personal independence of, or to any influence other than one's own upon, a child, spouse, etc. The modern spelling convention distinguishes possessive singular forms (Bernadette's, flower's, glass's, one's) from simple plural forms (Bernadettes, flowers, glasses, ones), and both of those from possessive plural forms (Bernadettes', flowers', glasses', ones'). Sadly there's no absolute rule to tell you whether you need to use, or can use, a "possessive" form with "of", on one with "'s". Long-form possessive adjectives are used to emphasize the owner of something, to contrast one owner with another, or to emphasize a personal relationship. If a word ends in -s, -ch, or -z, how do you make it plural? The possessive form is used with nouns referring to people, groups of people, countries, and animals. It shows a relationship of belonging between one thing and another. Possessive definition is - of, relating to, or constituting a word, a word group, or a grammatical case that denotes ownership or a relation analogous to ownership. It shows a relationship of belonging between one thing and another. This is the exception to the general rule that a possessive takes an apostrophe. Here, it wouldn’t make sense to say “hospital staff is required to wear uniforms.” Were we use to this phraseology, we would be suggesting that the group “hospital staff”, as a whole and as an abstract, single entity, is required to wear uniforms. Form the possessives of biblical terms ending in ‑s by adding an apostrophe: Jesus’ disciples; Moses’ followers. This can be tricky, especially when the nouns in question refer to entities (e.g. The mismatch holds, even though “our office” consists of multiple people. See more. If the possessive involves a last name ending with "s" or "z," you can add either. It shows a relationship of belonging between one thing and another. The same reflexive forms also are used as intensive pronouns (for example, She made the dress herself). There is no plural possessive for "its." Where there is a group which represents individuals (e.g. This might take the form of name-calling, rudeness, sarcasm or critical remarks. 5. The possessive can also express where someone works, studies or spends time. . For instance, “Our office holds an annual holiday party.” Note that “our office” is used with a singular form of the verb “to hold”. (= exclamation of exasperation). Also, by tradition we write: for appearance’ (righteousness’, etc.) The commonly repeated "rule" that you can "only use 's with people" is quite wrong. possessives. The Chicago Manual of Style Online is the venerable, time-tested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. The first option is more common. Find it. See more. Note in the first case possessive is used, but not in the second. sake. Possessive pronouns (mine, ours, etc.) Where there is a group which represents individuals (e.g. Because a government may have many employees, ministers, etc., but it is seen as containing these people. I recommend against this form… Two or More Possessors. CSS's clothes. 1. When pronouncing a possessive name, we add the sound /z/ to the end of the name. You might think that because the people define the entities (there would be no governments or companies without their employees) that the entities should be used with plural verbs and pronouns. — Chicago Manual of Style 7.24-6 For more detail, see Apostrophes. As a group, they are defined by their common membership in a single institution, and this institution’s singular identity takes precedent over the individual identities of its members. The name as a whole should be handled as a singular entity, because the company is, in fact, a single, legal entity. But watch out! ¶ It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. replace the entity that was referred to previously (as in I prefer mine) or serve as predicate adjectives (as in this book is mine). Also, by tradition we write: for appearance’ (righteousness’, etc.) You just add the apostrophe + s for singular and only the apostrophe for plural. ¶ Over 1.5 million copies sold! The keys of Mike (The keys belong to Mike.) The phrasing “hospital staff are” is incorrect because “are” is the present plural form of the verb “to be”. worker) that have standard pluralization (workers), there is more variation. Since that night nothing of such prominence has happened in our house that would warrant extreme worry. the Smiths's house (or the Smiths' house), America has some gold reserves. Sources disagree on whether the possessive form of a city-state or city-country combination, in which the closing comma is omitted, is valid. What to Know. 'Belonging to' or 'ownership' is the most common relationship the possessive expresses. 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