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When it comes to grammar, singular plural vs. possessive nouns can be a confusing topic to tackle! Check out the difference here and finally understand when (and when not) to use apostrophes!

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For some reason, people get all worked up when it comes to apostrophes. If I have more than one desk, do I use an apostrophe or don’t I?! If I’m speaking of the bike my brother owns, I just add ‘s’ right? Admittedly, I’m one of those people who gets worked up over apostrophes, but for the opposite reason. I promise, they’re not that hard to understand! At least, they’re not when speaking of singular plural and possessive nouns. Check out this crash course and hit the comments with your questions!

Plural vs. Possessive Nouns

Plural Nouns

Plural nouns could not be simpler! Nine times out of ten, when converting a singular noun into its plural form, just add an ‘s’ to the end. No apostrophe is necessary to take desk to desks.

Related: Writing With Style: A vs. An

Example: desks, books, students, bottles (and almost every other word in the English language!)

Sometimes, singular words already end in the ‘s’ sound — think fox, box, ax, Mr. Jones, or bus. In these instances, adding ‘es’ to the end of these words will take them from singular to plural. Words that end in the ‘ch’ sound also follow this rule, such as, branch, ranch, and lunch.

Example: buses, Joneses, foxes, branches, lunches

I say nine times out of ten because there will always be an exception to the rule! There are those odd singular nouns that require ‘en’ to be made plural and sometimes the word changes completely. These words are outliers and usually easy to pick out, so don’t stress yourself out over a gaggle of geese or a few stray oxen. Again, no apostrophe is necessary!

Example: oxen, geese, mice, moose, deer, sheep

(Singular) Possessive Nouns

Possessive nouns make things a bit more complex. This is where apostrophes finally come into the mix! In the case of singular possessive, it’s still pretty simple and easy to remember. Just remember to place your apostrophe inside the ‘s’ and you’ll be set! This rule applies for singular words that do not end in ‘s’, as well as words that do. Keeping your apostrophe inside the ‘s’ maintains the singular status of your noun and shows your noun’s ownership of an item.

Related: Writing With Style: Three Grammar Quick Fixes

Example: the bus’s seat, Mr. Jones’s cat, the desk’s chair, the bottle’s cap, the lunch’s main course

See? It’s that simple! Taking singular nouns to plural or possessive is not as complicated a process as it seems to be. Keep these rules in mind the next time you’re plagued by whether or not to add an apostrophe.

Question: Do you find yourself grappling to know when and when not to use apostrophes? Do you have any questions about plural and possessive nouns?

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