LAURA FINEBERG COOPER
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Spoonful #53: COMPOUND POSSESSION

3/8/2020

7 Comments

 
Picture
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

7 Comments
lisa
3/8/2020 03:21:15 pm

Love the puppy pic! Not only did you present a grammar issue but you posed a philosophical one. Who possesses the ball? If each pup believes it is his, who's to say they are not both right? This strays from the lesson but you got me thinking. great post and excellent examples.

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
3/8/2020 03:31:17 pm

Dear Lisa,
That's a brilliant philosophical question! Here's my take: If one of the puppies narrated your story, he/she would insist on sole ownership, so this wouldn't be an issue of collective possession at all. If your narrator was human, he/she would observe the dogs are fighting over a single, shared ball. Glad you enjoyed the post!

Reply
Marcia Strykowski link
3/16/2020 06:42:31 pm

Apostrophes can be SO tricky!

Reply
Marti
3/17/2020 11:33:52 am

Great post! Never knew this but I'm guessing that won't surprise you.

Reply
Laura Fineberg Coooper link
3/18/2020 12:48:39 pm

Dear Marcia and Marti:

How to use apostrophes with compound possession is not common knowledge by any means, but now you'll both be experts!

Reply
Amy
5/1/2020 03:41:31 pm

Great spoonful! The puppies look like they are playing in the springtime. I love spring. When should I capitalize a season?

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
5/1/2020 03:57:29 pm

Dear Amy,
Good question re: when and if to capitalize the seasons! It turns out the answer is NEVER because all the seasons are common nouns. The only exception I can think of is when a season is used in the title of an event. Spring Fling comes to mind!

Reply



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    ​A Spoonful of Grammar!

    Swallowing too many grammar rules at once can be hazardous to one's health. That's why my goal is to deliver one spoonful at a time - in the most delightful way.
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    Sincerely,
    Laura Fineberg Cooper

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