English Grammar • Nouns • Class 5 to O Level

Possessive Nouns and Apostrophe Rules Worksheet with Answers

Free printable possessive nouns worksheet with answer key. Apostrophe rules for singular, plural and irregular nouns. its vs it's, joint and separate ownership. Class 5 to O Level and Matric.

Free PDF Answer Key Included O Level • IGCSE • Matric Print Ready

💡 Apostrophe Rules

Singular noun: add 's → the captain’s hat • Tariq’s notebook
Plural noun ending in -s: add ’ only → the pilots’ uniforms • the scientists’ findings
Irregular plural: add ’s → the geese’s feathers • the oxen’s tracks
Joint ownership: last noun gets ’s → Nadia and Kamran’s project (one shared project)
Separate ownership: both get ’s → Nadia’s and Kamran’s projects (different projects)
Warning: its = belonging to it (no apostrophe). it’s = it is (apostrophe).

ARewrite Using an ApostropheTransformation

Rewrite each phrase using the possessive form with an apostrophe.

1the hat belonging to the captain →

2the tools belonging to the builders →

3the den belonging to the foxes →

4the discovery belonging to the women →

5the notebook belonging to Tariq →

6the project shared by Nadia and Kamran (joint) →

7the projects belonging separately to Nadia and Kamran →

8the tracks left by the oxen →

BSingular or Plural Possessive?Apostrophe Rule Practice

Each phrase below shows ownership. Rewrite it using an apostrophe. Think carefully: is the owner singular or plural?

1the wings of the falcon →

2the tools of the builders (more than one builder) →

3the results of the students (more than one student) →

4the den of the foxes →

5the discovery of the women →

6the collar of the dog →

7the uniforms of the pilots (more than one pilot) →

8the decision of the committee →

CFind and Fix the ErrorError Correction

Each sentence has one apostrophe error. Underline it and write the correction.

1The explorers findings were published in a scientific journal. Correction:

2The captains hat was hanging on the hook by the door. Correction:

3The childrens' drawings covered every wall of the corridor. Correction:

4The two scientist's reports were submitted on the same day. Correction:

5All the pilots uniform's were pressed and hanging neatly. Correction:

DFill in the BlanksContextual Use

Complete each sentence with the correct possessive form of the noun in brackets.

1The nest was hidden deep inside the cliff face. (falcon)

2All the gear was packed and ready before sunrise. (climber)

3The unanimous decision surprised the whole audience. (jury)

4I found my old telescope at the back of the cupboard. (grandfather)

5The ward is on the second floor of the building. (children)

EExplain and WriteO Level / Matric Style

Answer each question in full, as you would in an exam paper.

1Explain the difference between: the scientist’s report and the scientists’ report.

2Rewrite to show (a) joint ownership and (b) separate ownership:
the cameras belonging to Rania and Dania

a. Joint:

b. Separate:

✅ Answer Key - Possessive Nouns

Section A

1.the captain’s hat

2.the builders’ tools(plural ending in -s)

3.the foxes’ den(plural ending in -s)

4.the women’s discovery(irregular plural, add ’s)

5.Tariq’s notebook

6.Nadia and Kamran’s project

7.Nadia’s and Kamran’s projects

8.the oxen’s tracks(irregular plural, add ’s)

Section B

1.the falcon’s wings

2.the builders’ tools(plural ending in -s, apostrophe after)

3.the students’ results(plural ending in -s)

4.the foxes’ den(plural ending in -s)

5.the women’s discovery(irregular plural, add ’s)

6.the dog’s collar

7.the pilots’ uniforms(plural ending in -s)

8.the committee’s decision

Section C

1.explorer’s(singular possessive)

2.captain’s hat(singular possessive, apostrophe before s)

3.children’s(irregular plural, add ’s)

4.scientists’ reports(plural ending in -s, apostrophe after)

5.pilots’ uniforms(plural possessive, remove the apostrophe from uniform’s)

Section D

1.falcon’s 2.climbers’ 3.jury’s 4.grandfather’s 5.children’s

Section E

1.The scientist’s report = one scientist wrote it. The scientists’ report = more than one scientist wrote it.

2a.Rania and Dania’s cameras

2b.Rania’s and Dania’s cameras