Chapter 1 Common Grammar Mistakes
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plurals and possessives
You don't need an apostrophe to make a noun plural.
v
TEACHERS have Mrs. B's admiration.
The same goes for making proper nouns (names) plural.
v
The WINSTONS live across the street from the school.
If the name ends in an "s," add an "es" to make it plural.
v
James/The JAMESES, Jones/The JONESES
To make a singular noun possessive, add an apostrophe and an "s."
v
The TEACHER'S smile won us all over.
If a singular noun ends in "s," you'll usually add an apostrophe plus
an "s."
v
Everyone lined up with LINUS'S desk.
If adding an extra syllable would make a word ending in "s" hard to
pronounce, add just the apostrophe.
v
Mrs. HASTINGS' idea for seat assignments went over well.
To make a plural noun possessive, add an apostrophe.
v
The TEACHERS' union is growing stronger.
v
The WINSTONS' driveway is a favorite hangout.
v
The JONESES' house is the last one on the block.
