's in english grammar

Updated June 2023

Wondering when a noun should use s,s’, ’s, or es to show possession?

Want to know when to use the  apostrophe and when to skip it? Here are some grammar rules (from our proofreaders!) to guide you as you tell ’em whose it is (to show ownership).

Rule 1: To form the possessive of a singular noun that does not end in s or an s sound, add an apostrophe plus s to the noun:

Examples: the doctor’s orders, the writer’s desk, Tammy’s car, my sister’s children, her father-in-law’s house

Rule 2: To form the possessive of a singular noun that does end in s or an s sound, add an apostrophe plus s to the noun:

Examples: Jennifer Lopez’s music, the witness’s report, James’s poetry

One exception to this rule is to add only an apostrophe when adding the apostrophe plus s makes the word difficult to pronounce:

Examples: Sophocles’ plays, Mrs.

Rogers’ new car

Rule 3: To form the possessive of a plural noun that ends in s

when to use an s