Common mistake Possessive form instead of plural
Possessive Form Instead of Plural
One of the most common grammar mistakes that people make is using the possessive form of a noun instead of the plural form. This can happen when trying to express that there is more than one of something. Let's look at some examples:
- Incorrect: The dog's are barking in the park.
- Correct: The dogs are barking in the park.
- Incorrect: I have three sister's.
- Correct: I have three sisters.
As you can see, in both examples, the apostrophe ('s) is used incorrectly. The correct way to indicate more than one is by simply adding an "s" to the end of the noun. The possessive form, on the other hand, is used to show ownership or possession.
This mistake often occurs due to confusion about when to use an apostrophe. Many people tend to overuse apostrophes or use them in places where they are not needed.
How to Avoid This Mistake
To avoid making this mistake, it's important to understand the difference between plural and possessive forms. Here are some guidelines:
- Plural Form: To indicate that there is more than one of something, simply add an "s" to the end of the noun. For example, "dogs," "cats," "books."
- Possessive Form: To show ownership or possession, use an apostrophe followed by an "s" ('s) after the noun. For example, "dog's bone," "cat's toy," "book's cover."
By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can easily avoid using the possessive form instead of the plural form.
Linguix grammar checker can be a valuable tool in helping you avoid this mistake. It can automatically detect incorrect usage of possessive form instead of plural and provide suggestions for correction.
Possessive form instead of plural mistake examples
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Correct:And how funny it'll seem, sending presents to one's own feet!
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Incorrect:7 reasons why teacher's found us top classCorrect:7 reasons why teachers found us top class
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Incorrect:The sequence consists of one's designated as TRUE and zero's designated as FALSE.Correct:The sequence consists of ones designated as TRUE and zero's designated as FALSE.
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Incorrect:Please have one of your book admin's send Marc Janichen the Brent curve?Correct:Please have one of your book admins send Marc Janichen the Brent curve?
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Incorrect:Last month, however, the ISO's attorney's alerted the WSCC that the...Correct:Last month, however, the ISO's attorneys alerted the WSCC that the...
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Correct:The whole sky's caved in.
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Correct:His throat's shut.
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Correct:Tom's double-parked.
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Correct:Despite disagreeing with many of Bhaktivedanta Swami's required prohibitions, Ginsberg often...
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Correct:Genius is nothing more than one's rediscovered youth.
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Correct:Court's adjourned.
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Correct:Eight-ball: The goal is to () all of one's designated of balls...
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Correct:Eight-ball: The goal is to () all of one's designated balls...
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Correct:Bolivia’s estimated 2012 gross domestic product is up 2%.
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Correct:Brewer's spent grain consists of the residue of malt and grain.
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Correct:It has been permitted under the California Energy Commission's expedited emergency review process.
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Correct:Brewer's spent grain consists of the residue of malt and grain.
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Correct:These are just some of Dickens's acclaimed flights of fancy.
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Correct:Yesterday's estimated volume was 127,000 contacts.
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Correct:My hair's messed up this morning.
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Correct:Your mother's brought each of you something.
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Correct:A grade II listed building, Crabwell Manor's pamper package includes use of the Spa...
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Correct:A grade II listed building, Crabwell Manor's pamper package always include use of the Spa...
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Correct:Data Fortress's managed services products have been well accepted into the marketplace.
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Correct:Data Fortress's managed services products actually really has been well accepted into the marketplace.
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Correct:Here's how the scheme works.
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Incorrect:7 reason's whyCorrect:7 reasons why
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Incorrect:Anyone have any idea’s who?Correct:Anyone have any ideas who?
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Incorrect:At this date, we will need to be publishing ETA's and PA's which reference EnronOnline.Correct:At this date, we will need to be publishing ETA's and PA|PAs|Pas which reference EnronOnline.
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Incorrect:OATI has specific customer's whose security policies and procedures require...Correct:OATI has specific customers whose security policies and procedures require...
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Correct:Do you stay at Tom's when you're in Boston?
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Correct:Bill Oddie's How to Watch Wildlife
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Correct:If Professor Spengler has in mind a risk theory of profit such as Adam Smith’s where part of the undertaker’s profits were for risk bearing and the other for interest return on capital, then he is certainly correct.
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Correct:I was at the doctor's when you called today.
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Correct:I believe that the form of this agreement is consistent with the IFS's which we have engaged ComEd to complete on the Lincoln Energy Center and the Plano(Yorkville) project.
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Correct:Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's How Things Fly website.
