##  [apostrophe: possession](/writing-tips-plus/apostrophe-possession)

##  Avertissement

Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement.

## On this page

- [rather than](#rather-than)
- [Plural possessives](#plural-possessives)
- [Inanimate possessors](#inanimate-possessors)
- [Compounds](#compounds)
- [Two nouns (group genitive)](#two-nouns)
- [Geographical names](#geographical-names)
- [Institutions and organizations](#institutions-organizations)
- [Its](#its)

The primary use of the apostrophe is to indicate possession. A word which does not end in a sibilant (*s* or *z* sound) forms the possessive by the addition of *’s*:

- a dog’s breakfast
- Toronto’s CN Tower

Note that it is the pronunciation, not the spelling, which determines the possessive form. The word *conscience* ends in a sibilant; *Illinois* does not.

To form the possessive of French words ending in a non-sibilant *s* or *x*, add an *’s*:

- Duplessis’s cabinet
- Malraux’s art

Regarding the appropriate form for singular words that end in a sibilant, pronunciation is again the determining factor. If it would be natural to pronounce an extra *s*, add *’s*; if an additional *s* would be difficult to pronounce, add only an apostrophe:

- Joyce’s *Ulysses*
- Ulysses’ wanderings
- Brussels’ bureaucrats
- the boss’s office

Since awkwardness of pronunciation is the basic criterion, the decision to add or omit a possessive *s* ultimately depends on the writer’s own sensitivities. One option is to rephrase:

- the tourist industry of Mauritius
- the ramblings of Joyce’s Ulysses

##  rather than

- Mauritius’ tourist industry
- Joyce’s Ulysses’ ramblings

##  Plural possessives

Plural forms which do not end in a sibilant are no exception to the general rule:

- women’s
- children’s

Plurals ending in a sibilant (that is, most plurals) take only the apostrophe:

- the ministers’ responsibilities
- developing countries’ needs

##  Inanimate possessors

With inanimate “possessors” (in particular, abstract concepts), the apostrophe is generally not used to denote possession. Use an “of” construction instead:

- the incidence of conjugal violence
- the priority of tourism

not

- conjugal violence’s incidence
- tourism’s priority

However, certain expressions of time and measurement do take the apostrophe:

- a month’s vacation
- ten dollars’ worth

##  Compounds

Figurative compounds of the sort *bull’s-eye* or *crow’s-nest* retain *’s* in the plural:

- bull’s-eyes
- crow’s-nests
- shepherd’s pies

When the possessive of a compound noun or a noun phrase is formed, add *’s* to the last word only, unless there is a possessive relation between the words within the phrase itself:

- someone else’s problem
- her brother-in-law’s address

but

- John’s father’s problem

##  Two nouns (group genitive)

If possession is shared by two or more subjects, add *’s* to the last word only:

- Adam and Eve’s progeny
- the Prince and Princess’s visit
- Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musicals

To indicate individual possession, *’s* is added to each element in the series:

- Abraham’s and Lot’s descendants
- Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s private lives

##  Geographical names

The apostrophe is often omitted in geographical names:

- Gods Lake
- Humphreys Mills

but

- St. John’s
- Land’s End

Note also *Saint John* (city in New Brunswick) and *Hudson Bay*—but *Hudson’s Bay Co.* Consult the *Gazetteer of Canada* when in doubt.

##  Institutions and organizations

The *’s* is often omitted in names of institutions, especially in the case of plural nouns that are adjectival rather than strictly possessive:

- teachers college **but** inmates’ committee
- veterans hospital **but** officers’ mess

The official or customary form should be used, whatever it may be:

- Timothy’s
- Canadian Forces Headquarters

##  Its

Note that there is no apostrophe in the possessive forms *yours, hers* and *its. It’s* is always a contraction of *it is*.

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Un outil créé et mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada

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## Liens connexes

- [Writing Tips Plus](/fr/writing-tips-plus/index-fra) (page d’accueil)
- [Outils d’aide à la rédaction](/fr/outils-tools/index-fra)
- [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator) (permet de trouver rapidement des conseils linguistiques)
- [TERMIUM Plus®](http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-fra.html?lang=fra)