This week in Life Writers Vlog #149, we examine shared/joint and separate possessives, a punctuation puzzle that often confuses us.
The Chicago Manual of Style guides us here, though it uses the fancier term genitive possessives.
A shared or joint possessive means two people share one thing, like Peter and Stephanie’s house. Peter and Stephanie have one house they share, so only one apostrophe is needed.
Separate possessives mean each person possesses their own items, as in Peter’s and Stephanie’s houses. Correctly punctuating joint possessives can be trickier with nouns that can be either singular or plural, like luggage, furniture, or equipment.
Now, when you add pronouns, it’s a little more complicated. Michael and Jack’s furniture is a shared possessive. If written with a pronoun, it still requires an apostrophe, but it’s on the proper noun, for example, Michael’s and his furniture.
English always has its twists, but knowing these rules helps. Did this clear things up or complicate possessives even more?
Regardless of your apostrophe usage, always remember, the only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all!
Please note: The examples used in this vlog do not represent real people.
Thank you, Patricia. This vlog did clarify the subject for me!
What if it’s his and hers? His and her’s pajamas?
??????
Maureen answered the his and her pajamas correctly—two possessive pronouns, no apostrophe. If they were wearing separate, coordinating pajamas, it would be their matching pajamas.
Got it, thanks, Patricia.
Thanks, Patricia, that was helpful. I hope I’ll remember the rule by the time I need to use it. I actually find it more confusing when it comes to possessives after a word ending in “s.”
And I have to agree, languages are fascinating – rules, complications, accents, article genders… and all that goes with it!
I vote for a primer in the “s” circumstance! Maybe that will be a future vlog!
Yes. Patricia, it is clear as mud. At least I know I can go back to Vlog #149 if the water, subject, gets muddy. Thanks.
Thanks Patricia, I’m slowly getting back into the writing frame of mind. As usual, you are concise and easy to understand. I’m looking forward to the NEW LW in September. PS, would it be possible to flip my photo here to the correct position?
Deborah, you must write your month of May adventures. WOW what a story it will make. Jackie
Will be good to see you again, Deborah. Miss you!
Good lesson, Patricia! The plural al the end does it for me.
I’ll also need to go back and check if I’ve done the possessives with pronouns correctly. I think I had the nouns down, but I’ll certainly pay more attention since listening to this tip. I love the clear and slow way you explained this punctuation! Thank you!
And another ditto! Very clearly explained. David, I think it would be “his and her pajamas” or else they would be wearing the same pair. Patricia, what say you on that question?
Ditto, Kit. Thanks,