POSSESSIVE The general rules concerning the possessive form of words, abbreviations, and phrases appear below. For exceptions and rules applicable to specialized cases, such as biblical names, consult an English grammar text. Common Nouns Create the possessive form of a singular or plural noun, which does not end in s, by adding an apostrophe and an s. the child's ball the people's choice the car's color the books' covers In instances involving compound nouns, the 's is added to the element nearest to that which is possessed. the auditor general's report the attorney at law's address In instances of joint possession, placing the apostrophe on the last element of a series. Barton & Henderson's store Eisenhower and Nixon's administration However, in instances of individual or alternative possession, use an apostrophe for each element of the series. men's and women's clothing bachelor's and master's degrees New York's or New Jersey's governor Create the possessive form of a singular or plural noun, which ends with an s sound, by adding only an apostrophe. the players' equipment Tom Jones' television special the cars' tires the man's coat Proper Names Create the possessive form of a proper noun in the same manner as for a common noun. For singular proper names, add 's. For plural names, and some singular names, which end in an s, add only an apostrophe. Canada's resources United States' budget deficit New Orleans' restaurants the Whites' cottage Jones' skates Dickens' writings Create the possessive form of a name, which ends in a silent s, z, or x, by adding 's. Perez's turn at bat Des Moines's airport Guy Marcoux's reputation Abbreviations Create the possessive form of an abbreviation in the same manner as you would for a word or term that was spelled out completely. Add 's for the singular possessive or an apostrophe only for the plural possessive. the IRS's district offices AT&T's 1-800-telephone number NBC's newscast IBM Corp.'s district sales office Numerals Create the possessive form of a noun that is composed of numerals in the same manner as you would for other nouns. Add 's for the singular possessive or an apostrophe only for the plural possessive. 1995's convocation ceremony the 1930s' economic reversals Phrases Create the possessive form of a phrase by adding an 's or apostrophe to the last word of the phrase. his brother-in-law's house board of trustees' meeting a month or two's work Indefinite Pronouns Create the possessive form of indefinite pronouns by adding 's. one's rights anyone's decision someone's hat somebody's purse everybody's efforts somebody else's problem each other's gifts either's choice For some indefinite pronouns, it is preferable to indicate possession by using an "of" phrase. the responsibility of each the benefit of many the safety of all Possessive Pronouns For possessive pronouns, do not use apostrophes. his hers mine ours theirs its Miscellaneous Do not use an apostrophe with plural nouns that are more descriptive than possessive. singles bar homeowners association coalminers union awards banquet young presidents club veterans memorial