Grammar · Free lesson
Nina’s notebook: show who owns it
Two notebooks are on a desk. One belongs to Nina and the other to Leo. Name the owner so your friend takes the right one.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
For one person named Nina, write Nina’s notebook: name + apostrophe + s, then the thing. The same owner form works with several things: Nina’s keys. The number of keys does not change Nina’s.
Mark the owner, not the thing owned.
In Nina’s notebook, the ’s attaches to Nina. It tells us whose notebook it is. Do not put the ownership apostrophe on notebook instead. In this pattern, Nina’s already identifies the noun, so do not add the before it.
One owner, different belongings
This is Nina’s notebook.
Those are Nina’s keys.
Leo’s notebook is green.
Nina’s keys still describes one owner. The plural s on keys counts the things; the apostrophe+s on Nina marks the owner.
Build the owner phrase
Start with the person
Nina
Add the ownership marker
Nina’s
Add the thing
Nina’s notebook
Try it now
Name the owner.
Read all answers and explanations
The notebook belongs to Nina. Which phrase uses the possessive name correctly?
Nina’s notebookAdd ’s to the owner Nina, then place notebook after it. Neither a bare plural-looking Ninas nor an apostrophe on notebook gives this pattern.
One person, Nina, owns several keys. Choose the correct phrase.
Nina’s keysThe owner is still one Nina, so Nina’s stays the same. Keys is plural because there is more than one key.
What does Nina’s notebook mean in this lesson?
The notebook belongs to Nina.The notebook belongs to Nina. The ’s marks ownership here; it does not count two owners.
Put it into practice
Label the correct notebook.
Use Nina’s name to show that she owns the notebook. Correct the word order and ownership marker.
This is the notebook Nina.
See a model answer
This is Nina’s notebook.
The possessive name identifies who owns the notebook. The apostrophe belongs with the owner’s name.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Does ’s always mean ownership?
No. In Nina’s notebook it marks ownership, but Nina’s tired is a short form of Nina is tired. Read what follows the name.
Nina’s notebook is on the desk.
What if Nina owns three notebooks?
Keep Nina’s and make the thing plural: Nina’s notebooks. The number of objects does not make the owner plural.
Nina’s notebooks are blue.
Take it into your day
Nina’s notebook and Nina’s keys both start with the same single owner: Nina.
Your next step · Available on Udemy
Make ownership and reference easier to follow.
This page practices one possessive-name pattern. The English Grammar and English Speaking course includes Possessive Nouns through Learn it, Review it, Use it and Practice it, within its wider grammar and speaking lessons.
Explore the course English Master Course: English Grammar and English Speaking