General

Rules for Forming Possessives

These journalism rules are adapted from apvschicago.com and the AP Stylebook.
They focus on AP Style.

SINGULAR COMMON NOUNS NOT ENDING IN S

Add apostrophe-s

n the girls toys
n the horses food
n the VIPs seat


SINGULAR COMMON NOUNS ENDING IN S

Add apostrophe-s unless the next word begins with s

n the duchess's hat; the duchess' style
n the witnesss answer; the witness story

PLURAL COMMON NOUNS NOT ENDING IN S

Add an apostrophe-s

n the alumnis contributions
n womens rights
n peoples homes


PLURAL COMMON NOUNS ENDING IN S

Add an apostrophe

n the students' questions
n the teachers' headaches
n states rights
n the witnesses stories


PROPER NOUNS ENDING IN S

Add an apostrophe

n Charlaine Harris' books
 n the Joneses' pool
n Jesus life

NOUNS PLURAL IN FORM, SINGULAR IN MEANING

Add an apostrophe

n the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' history
n mathematics rules
n measles effects
n General Motors profits
n the United States wealth

SUBJECTS THAT SHOW JOINT POSSESSION

Add an apostrophe-s after only the last subject

n Fred and Sylvias apartment
n Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolies children

SUBJECTS THAT SHOW INDIVIDUAL POSSESSION

Add an apostrophe-s after each subject

n Barack Obamas and Mitt Romneys supporters
n Freds and Sylvias books

QUASI POSSESSIVES

Follow the rules above in composing the possessive form

n a days pay
n two weeks vacation

NAMES ALREADY WITH APOSTROPHE-S

Use as is

n McDonald's profits (not McDonald's' profits)
n Macys debt