Remember the following rules when considering how to show possession.

1. Add '-s to singular nouns and indefinite pronouns.

   • Tiffani's flowers
   • everybody's computer
   • today's paper
   • a dog's bark
   • at the owner's expense

2. Add '-s to singular nouns ending in -s.

   • Deloris's paper
   • Dr. Yots's class
   • the boss's pen
   • Dr. Evans's office OR Dr. Evans' office

3. Add an apostrophe to plural nouns ending in -s or -es.

   • two cents' worth
   • ladies' night
   • thirteen years' experience
   • two weeks' pay

4. Add '-s to plural nouns not ending in -s.

   • men's room
   • children's toys

5. Add '-s to the last word in compound words or groups.

   • brother-in-law's car
   • someone else's paper

6. Add '-s to the last name when indicating joint ownership.

   • Juan and Selina's home
   • Julie and Kathy's party

7. Add '-s to both names if you intend to show ownership by each person.

   • Juan's and Selina's trucks
   • Julie's and Kathy's pies

8. Possessive pronouns change their forms without the addition of an apostrophe.

   • her, his, hers
   • your, yours
   • it, its
   • their, theirs
   • our, ours

9. Use the possessive form of a noun preceding a gerund.

   • His driving annoys me.
   • My bowling a strike annoyed him.
   • Do you mind our stopping by?

10. Add '-s to words, symbols, numbers, letters, and initials to show that they are plural.

    • TV's
    • IRA's available at the bank
    • the 1990's (or the 1990s)
    • No if's, and's, or but's
    • VCR's
    • the returning POW's
    • three A's