Proper Use of the Apostrophe to Form Possessives

Example:

• The witch's broom.

If the noun is plural, the apostrophe goes after the s.

Example:

• The witches' brooms.

However, if the word is pluralized without an s, the apostrophe comes before the s.

Example:

• He entered the men's room with an armload of children's clothing.

If you create a possessive with a phrase like of the witches, you will use no apostrophe.

Example:

• the brooms of the witches.

Add 's to the singular form of the word

Example:

• The boy's hat
• John's car
• James's toy

Add 's to the plural form that does not end in -s.

Example:

• The men's league
• The mice's hole

Add ' to the end of plural nouns that end in -s.

Example:

• The houses' roofs
• 2 girls' cars

Add 's to the end of compound words.

Example:

My editor-in-chief's signature

Add 's to the last noun in the case of joint possession of an object.

Example:

• Tom and Ingrid's apartment

Note:
When a possessive pronoun ends in the letter s (hers, his, its, ours, yours, whose, and theirs), do not add an apostrophe.

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