Expressing possession with 's: Betty's hotel, Roger's song…: How and When to Use in English

Magda → That is Magda's bag. In general, we add 's after the name of the possessor (here, Magda) to show that something (here, the bag) belongs to them. Example: Jordan → Jordan's sunglasses are expensive.

My cats → My cats' eyes are big. When the possessor already ends in ‑s (here, the plural the cats), simply add an apostrophe ( ' ) after it. Example: the plumbers → the plumbers' tools are heavy.

Anna and Timmy → Those books are Anna and Timmy's. When there is more than one possessor (Anna +Timmy), the 's is applied to the last name in the set. Example: Sam and Pat → Sam and Pat's shop is in the city centre.

This is the boy's bike. Use the structure: possessor (the boy) + 's + object (bike) to explain who owns something. Example: Anna → Anna's hotel is old.

That is my friends' phone. When the possessor ends in -s (here, the plural my friends), simply add an apostrophe ( ' ) after the s. Example: the applicants → we need to check the applicants' CVs.

The car is Roger and Timmy's. When there are several possessors (here, Roger + Timmy), the 's is applied to the last name in the set. Example: Steve and Mike → Steve and Mike's restaurant is in London.

This is the car of Lucy → This is Lucy's car.  To indicate that Lucy owns the car, use the structure: possessor (Lucy) + 's + object (car) . Example: John → John's job is very stressful.

The toys of the kids are cheap → The kids' toys are cheap. When the possessor ends in -s, (here, the plural the kids), simply add an apostrophe (') after the final s. Example: the players → the players' shoes were dirty.

The food of the cat is delicious → The cat's food is delicious. You shouldn't be eating the cat's food. It belongs to the cat! To show who an object (here, the food) belongs to, add 's after the possessor (here, the cat). Example: my mum → my mum's room is always tidy.