Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession
Key Notes
A possessive noun shows who or what owns something or has something.To form the possessive of a compound noun, make the last part of the noun possessive.
my sister-in-law’s career
the mayor of London’s speech
the heads of states’ legacies
my great-grandmothers’ namesWhen two nouns joined by and share possession of something, only the second noun should be written as a possessive noun.
Becca and Lily’s room is larger than mine.
Becca and Lily share one room.When two nouns joined by and do not share possession of something, both nouns should be written as possessive nouns.
Becca’s and Lily’s rooms are larger than mine.
Becca and Lily each have their own room.
Learn with an example
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- Harriet and Helen’s commitment to help each other in school has the potential to benefit them both tremendously.
Harriet and Helen’s is correct. Harriet and Helen share the commitment to help each other, so only the second noun should be written as a possessive noun.
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- The guest of honour’s appearance at the podium sparked a long round of applause, and it took several minutes for the clapping to subside enough for him to begin his speech.
Guest of honour’s is correct. It is a compound noun, so only the last part of the noun should be possessive.
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- Even though Christine did not come first in her 5K race, her runner-up’s prize made all her months of training worthwhile.
Runner-up’s is correct. It is a compound noun, so only the last part of the noun should be possessive.
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