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Possessive ‘s and whose
A1 A1 grammar · lesson 18 of 24
We use ‘s to show that something belongs to a person. We use whose to ask who the owner is.
Rule: ‘s
To show who has something, add ‘s to the person: Anna’s car = the car of Anna. The thing comes after the person.
| Owner | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| one person | add ‘s | Tom‘s phone, my sister‘s room |
| plural ending in -s | add only ‘ | my parents’ house, the students’ books |
| irregular plural | add ‘s | the children‘s toys, women‘s shoes |
| two names together | ‘s on the second name | Ken and Lucy‘s flat |
This is Maria’s bike.
Omar’s brother is a pilot.
My friend’s name is Sam.
The children’s room is upstairs.
My grandparents’ garden is big.
Is that the teacher’s desk?
Whose?
We use whose to ask about the owner. Whose + noun + be + this / that…?
Whose bag is this? It’s Lucy’s.
Whose shoes are these? They’re Tom’s.
You can answer with only the name + ‘s. You don’t need to repeat the noun.
Things, not people
For things and places we usually use of, not ‘s: the end of the film, the door of the car, the centre of the town.
Common mistakes
✗ the car of Anna
✓ Anna’s car
✗ my parent’s house (two parents)
✓ my parents’ house
✗ Who’s coat is this?
✓ Whose coat is this?
✗ the childrens’ toys
✓ the children’s toys