Spoonful #53: COMPOUND POSSESSION

Do two dogs share one ball or each possess their own? Do two sisters share a single bike or each possess their own? Do two friends share common beliefs or each possess their own? These are all questions of COMPOUND POSSESSION. As writers, how do we reflect each situation properly? The answer, my friends, lies with APOSTROPHES. 
Let's start by examining BELIEFS
Ask yourself this question: Is the same belief shared by two people? YES or NO. 

If YES, these two people can share a SINGLE APOSTROPHE! Here's an example:  Marigold and Petunia's spiritual beliefs align. 

If NO, TWO APOSTROPHES are required. Here's an example:
Marigold's and Petunia's spiritual beliefs differ dramatically. 

Now let's examine OBJECTS
Ask yourself this question: Is the same object shared by two people?
YES or NO.

If YES, these two people can share a SINGLE APOSTROPHE! Here's an example:  Harrison and Dmitri's Science Fair project tested the ability of citrus fruit to generate electricity. 

If NO, TWO APOSTROPHES are required. Here's an example:
Harrison's and Dmitri's Science Fair projects won first and second place, respectively. 

With grammar, there are always exceptions! In this case, when one of the owners is listed as a POSSESSIVE PRONOUN (my, your, our, her, his, its, their) instead of a name, ALWAYS USE AN APOSTROPHE plus the singular or plural form of the noun and the related verb.

To begin, ask yourself the same question as before: Is the same object shared by two people? YES or NO. The examples should make everything clear. 

If YES:  Jeremy's and my hamster is named Hammy.  (singular form)

If NO: Jeremy's and your hamsters are best buddies, just like you and Jeremy. (plural form)

Thank you for reading my weekly grammar blog, A Spoonful of Grammar. In the spirit of COMPOUND POSSESSION, please feel free to share any of my posts!

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper

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