Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession

Key Notes:

What is Possession?

Possession shows ownership or belonging using an apostrophe (’) or apostrophe + s (’s).
✅ Example: Ravi’s book means the book belongs to Ravi.

Compound Possession

🟢 Compound possession happens when two or more people own the same thing together.

👉 Rule: Use ’s after the last name only.

✅ Correct: Raju and Rani’s car is new.
❌ Wrong: Raju’s and Rani’s car is new.

💡 (They share one car together.)

Separate Possession

🔵 When each person owns something separately, add ’s to each name.

✅ Correct: Raju’s and Rani’s cars are new.
❌ Wrong: Raju and Rani’s cars are new.

💡 (Each has their own car.)

Joint Possession with Pronouns

🚫 Never use ’s with possessive pronouns like hers, his, ours, yours, theirs.

✅ Correct: That book is hers.
❌ Wrong: That book is her’s.

Joint Possession of a Group

When an item belongs to a team, club, or organization, use ’s after the group name.

✅ Correct: The girls’ team won the match.
✅ Correct: The company’s policy is fair.

💡 (The apostrophe goes after the plural when showing possession for groups.)

Common Errors to Watch Out For

🚨 Error 1: Missing apostrophe
❌ The teachers lounge
✅ The teachers’ lounge

🚨 Error 2: Apostrophe in the wrong place
❌ The childrens’ toys
✅ The children’s toys

🚨 Error 3: Extra apostrophe
❌ Its’ color is bright.
✅ Its color is bright.

Quick Recap

Type	Ownership	Example
🧍 Joint	Shared	Raju and Rani’s car
👥 Separate	Individual	Raju’s and Rani’s cars
🏫 Group	Belongs to many	The teachers’ meeting
🙅‍♂️ Pronouns	No apostrophe	Its, hers, theirs

Tips to Remember

✨ If the item is shared → add ’s to the last name only.
✨ If each owns separately → add ’s to each name.
✨ Never add ’s to possessive pronouns.
✨ Always check where the apostrophe is placed!