There are only 2 cases in English-speaking countries - possessive and general. In the latter, the word coincides with the form indicated in the dictionary, and does not have a peculiar ending. With the help of the possessive, they express the belonging of an object to something. In this case, a special ending is added to the noun (in the genitive case) - an apostrophe + the letter s, for example:
- Mike's bag - Mike's bag;
- girl's pencil - girl's pencil;
- dog's food - dog food.
Possessive nouns can be:
- proper names;
- animated objects;
- some inanimate objects.
Next, let's look at how the possessive case of nouns is formed correctly in English. Exercises with answers will help to consolidate the material.
How are they formed?
In English, possessive constructions differ in units. hours and more h.
In units h.the possessive case of a noun in English is formed by the following methods:
An animated object.’ (apostrophe) + ending s is added to the word. For example:
- Take mom's bag. – Take mom's bag.
- I met Kate's sister yesterday. – I met sister Kate yesterday.
- I don’t like the neighbor’s dog.
Inanimate object. The preposition of is added to the word. For example:
- Did you hear the sound of wheels? – Did you hear the sound of wheels?
- The last page of the magazine is torn out. – The last page of the magazine has been torn out.
- The piano stood in the center of the hall. – The piano stood in the center of the hall.
Multiple h. the possessive case of nouns in English is formed differently:
An animated object. Only’ (apostrophe) is added to the word if the noun ends in –s, or’ (apostrophe) + ending s otherwise. For example:
- Brothers' books were scattered on the floor. – The brothers' books were scattered across the floor.
- The actors' trousers were wrinkled. – The actors' trousers were wrinkled.
- The Stuarts’ lawn looked neat. – The Stuart lawn looked tidy.
Inanimate objects. The preposition of is used here. For example:
- The legs of this table are metal. – The legs of this table are metal.
- Every day I walk in the parks of our city.our city.
- The Apple trees of our garden are very beautiful in bloom in the spring. – The apple trees in our garden are very beautiful in bloom in spring.
Exception to rule
Individual words (inanimate) defy the general rule.
The rules are quite simple and clear. After studying the topic “Possessive case of nouns in English”, the exercises at the end of the article will not seem difficult.
Pronunciation of noun endings
Possessive noun endings can be pronounced differently depending on the sound the word ends in.
If the noun ends in a voiceless consonant, then -’s is read as [s]. For example:
- cat's tail - cat's tail;
- Jack's notebook - Jack's notebook.
If the word ends in a vowel or voiced consonant, then -’s is read as [z]. For example:
- dog's eyes - dog's eyes;
- neighbor's car - neighbor's car.
If the last sound of the word is whistling or hissing, then -’s is read as [iz]. For example:
- George's book - George's book;
- Alex's pen - Alex's pen.
Possessive case of nouns in English. Exercise
1. Need to translate sentences:
1) My mother's library.
2) Your actor's dresses.
3) Our teacher’s glasses.
4) My son's cars.
5) The boys’ father.
6) Our engineer’s project.
7) Her parents’ house.
2. Translate using the possessive case:
1) My brother's notebooks.
2) Your students' books.
3) My uncle's cat.
4) Student dictionary.
5) Children's toys.
6) The population of this planet.
7) His sister's apartment.
Answers
1. Translation of sentences into Russian:
1) My mother's library.
2) Your acting dresses.
3) Our teacher's glasses.
4) My son's cars.
5) Father of the boys.
6) Design by our engineer.
7) Her parents' house.
2. Translation of sentences into English:
1) My brother’s notebooks.
2) Your students’ books.
3) My uncle's cat.
4) Student's Dictionary.
5) Children’s toys.
6) The population of this planet.
7) His sister’s apartment.
Now it is clear how the possessive case of nouns is formed in English. Exercises are easily solved. You began to understand English a little more. Keep learning! Good luck to you!
