This post highlights the use of possessives tht you can see in the noun + ’s form and the rules are explained below. There are also several sentences to give you revision using some or any
Today’s top global celebrity news is the verdict from LA’s Superior Court: Michael Jackson’s personal doctor, Conrad Murray has been found guilty of manslaughter. The jury’s decision came after 2 days and 10 hours of deliberation as the world’s media waited with baited breath. However, they won’t know how long he will spend in prison until November 29th when Murray’s sentence will be handed down. He could be given up to 4 years jail time.
In the judge’s statement (sometimes called ‘the summing up’) the doctor to the stars was described as ‘a danger to society’. That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it? It’s not like he killed anyone…oh, hold on, according to the court’s ruling, he DID kill someone: and not just anyone. That someone happened to be Michael Jackson – everybody’s favourite one-time musical genius turned plastic surgery madman.
Michael Jackson’s family wept in court as the guilty verdict was announced and later, La Toya’s one-word tweet read a thousand words: VICTORY.
Outside the court, there were scenes of jubilation as the fans’ joy erupted into an impropmtu acapella version of ‘Beat It’. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), no recording of the fans’ singing exists.
Rules for ’s and s’ possessive
1. Possessive nouns with ’s or s’ are used instead of the:
The phone that belongs to Jim = Jim’s phone (NOT Jim’s the car, the car of Jim)
The books that belong to Sam = Sam’s books
The doctor of Michael Jackson = Michael Jackson’s doctor
2. After a plural noun (brothers, friends) the apostrophe (’) goes AFTER the s:
I’m going to the Jones’ house
The fans’ joy could be heard outside the court
3. Possessives are used to talk about people and animals, but not things:
John’s wife / Gavin’s blogs / Dan’s jokes / Josh’s class / Max’s friend / the judge’s statemnet
4. BUT with things:
The roof of my mouth (NOT my mouth’s roof)
The name of the film (NOT the film’s name)
5. You can use ’s after more than one noun:
John and Nicky’s party
Mr and Mrs Smith’s house
Spielberg and Lucas’s latest film
6. Some time words/expressions can also have ’s:
Did you read yesterday’s newspaper?
Tomorrow’s lesson has been cancelled
Today’s top celebrity news
