4th Class English Use of Possessives Introduction

     Introduction

A possession indicates the ownership or relationship. Apostrophe ( ' ) is used to show possession. When we want to show that something belongs to somebody or something, we usually add's to a singular noun and an apostrophe ' to a plural noun.  

•   The pen of my uncle is in his pocket.
•   The books of Mary are on the table.
•   I went to at tend the birthday of Maria.
•   The dog bit the tail of the cat.  

      The above given sentences can be rewritten as the following:

•   My Uncle's pen is in his pocket.
•   Mary's books are on the table.
•   I went to attend Maria's birthday.
•   The dog bit the cat's tail.  

     Analysis

The ( ' ) we have used in the second set of sentences is called apostrophe. The pen of my uncle actually means the pen belonging to my uncle, to the pen possessed by my uncle.

So, the apostrophe ( ' ) in the second set of sentences shows possession.