Do you know what the possessive case is? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on possessive cases, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
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Kevin
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December 4, 2021
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What is the possessive case?
Today we will explore the possessive case. According to Learn Grammar, the possessive case refers to the possessive form or possessive pronouns, which are often formed by adding apostrophe-s (‘s). Possessives show ownership. Possessive determiners or the possessive apostrophe, along with possessive adjectives, are different for singular nouns versus plural nouns. For grammarians, it depends on the singular noun ending or if it is an irregular plural. Genitives have a distinct form. Consult style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style if you are confused about possessive-case pronouns or absolute possessive pronouns. Many things can be in the genitive case or possessive case. A few examples include mother’s day, father’s day, a year’s time, the ’80s, John’s car, a day’s work, duty’s call, wit’s end, goodness’ sake, a lion’s mane a pound’s weight, conscience’ sake, Ken’s dentist, death’s door, a men’s club, people’s names, a stone’s throw, and more. Plural possessive nouns are formed differently than the singular possessive and have a separate possession formation. When it comes to the possessive cases of personal pronouns or the possessive case of a plural noun, there are many irregular plural forms to look out for, such as if a singular noun ends in s, or if a plural noun ends in s.
Many different languages also contain words that mean genitive case. You may notice that some of these translations of genitive case look and sound similar to one another. These are called cognates, which are words and phrases in different languages that likely have the same root or language of origin, causing them to sound the same. The below list of translations of genitive case is provided by Word Sense.
- Czech: genitivní
- Georgian: ნათესაობითი, ნათესაობითი ბრუნვა
- Galician: xenitivo (masc.)
- Latin: genetivus
- German: genitivisch
- Scottish Gaelic: ginideach
- Old English: Agniendlic casus
- Slovene: rodilniški
- Arabic: إِضَافِيّ, جَرِّيّ
- Icelandic: eignarfall (in compounds)
- Catalan: genitiu
- Finnish: genetiivi, genetiivinen
- Basque: genitibo
- Portuguese: genitivo
- Turkish: tamlayan
- Japanese: 属格 (ぞっかく, zokkaku), (for Slavic) 生格 (せいかく, seikaku)
- French: génitif (masc.), génitive (fem.)
- Russian: роди́тельный
- Mandarin: 所有
- Polish: dopełniacz
- Hebrew: יחס הקניין
- Hungarian: birtokos
- Slovak: genitívny
- Danish: genitiv
- Spanish: genitivo
- Dutch: genitief (masc.)
- Estonian: omastav
- Swedish: genitiv
- Bulgarian: родителен (rodítelen)
What is an example of genitive case?
The genitive case can be used in many different contexts in the English language. Trying to use a word or literary technique in a sentence is one of the best ways to memorize what it is, but you can also try making flashcards or quizzes that test your knowledge. Try using this term of the day in a sentence today! Below are a couple of examples of genitive cases from Grammarly, Thought Co and Learn Grammar that can help get you started incorporating this tool into your everyday use. Take a look at these genitive case examples.
- Where is Jess’ book bag?
- Have you seen James’ car?
- This necklace is mine.
- We are at his home now.
- The Prime Minister of India welcomes the Americans’ gifts of products from the United States.
- Mike and Amanda’s new loft apartment is really neat.
- This thick curtain is capable of shutting out the summer sun’s heat and light.
- Jesus’ exam had many faults.
- This is his writing.
- This is the way to the men’s room.
- This is Mary and her dog. The dog is Mary’s pet; Mary is not the dog’s pet.
- You’re sitting in Chris’s chair.
- Is Pam your sister?
- This is his house.
- This assignment is Tom’s.
- The scissors’ handles just snapped off.
- This is her cat.
- This is Mary’s cat.
- This is the boys’ bedroom.
- Have you seen James’s car?
- This is his car.
- She got a job in the children’s section of the library.
- This is Adam’s car.
- Please tell Annie and Mary’s mother that they’ll be late getting home from school.
- “So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea,” (Dahl 1988).
- “Mama Sim took off the girl’s shoes, pulled the covers up to her shoulders, then smoothed her hair as it fanned across the pillow,” (Letts 2008).
- “Some of the flakes land on the Chevrolet’s hood and windshield, and when Ann reaches out the wing window to brush them away, the confetti clings to her hand,” (Parker 1993).
- “[H]e stood up and concentrated on the shoes of the girl in front of him, a sleepy girl who kept leaning into the shoulder of a blond boy so that she could lift and twirl her foot whenever the crowd halted. The soles of her shoes were lime green, beautiful and astonishing,” (Kane 2010).
- Where is Jess’s book bag?
- You’re sitting in Chris’ chair.
- This is Aric’s house.
- The Jeffersons’ yard is always beautifully landscaped.
- My parents’ house is a lovely old one.
- What is your name?
- This is Allen’s writing.
- Charles’ birthday was in October.
- We are at Jeff’s home now.
- Anna’s name is written here.
- This is his assignment.
- Abbott’s book cover had her name at the top of the page.
- Moses’ gift to the kid was so nice.
- I’m in Ms. Jones’ class this year.
- Bob will live today at his aunt’s place.
- We are coming to your home.
- I’m in Ms. Jones’s class this year.
- The group of people’s opinion of the place was poor.
- Her name is written here.
- Is this your book?
- Saint Mary’s is having a festival for the fall harvest.
Overall, in modern English the possessive case shows ownership.
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