Possessive Nouns Worksheets - Free Printable

Let's go through each sentence and determine whether the bolded noun is correctly used as a possessive or plural form. We'll mark each with a ✓ if correct, and an X if incorrect.

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1. John's assignment was to write a paper.

- John's → possessive (correct for one person)
- ✔ ✓

2. The girls ankle broke when she fell.

- "girls" should be girl's (possessive) because it refers to *one girl's* ankle.
- ✘ X
→ Correct: *The girl's ankle...*

3. That dog's personality is outstanding.

- "dog's" → possessive (belongs to the dog)
- ✔ ✓

4. The team's first game was their best one.

- "team's" → possessive (the game belongs to the team)
- ✔ ✓

5. What did you think of the groups choices?

- "groups" → should be group's (possessive), since it’s *one group's* choices
- ✘ X
→ Correct: *the group's choices*

6. The bouquet of flowers was really beautiful.

- "flowers" → plural noun, not possessive — correct here (it's part of "bouquet of flowers")
- ✔ ✓

7. The manager's are all on leave today.

- "manager's" → this implies *one manager's*, but the subject is plural ("are all").
- Should be managers' (plural possessive) to match "all"
- ✘ X
→ Correct: *The managers' are all on leave today.*

8. Have you seen the tadpole's shrinking tail?

- "tadpole's" → possessive (tail belongs to the tadpole)
- ✔ ✓

9. This chefs restaurant just opened.

- "chefs" → should be chef's (possessive) to show the restaurant belongs to the chef
- ✘ X
→ Correct: *This chef's restaurant...*

10. That is the teacher's intention, I believe.

- "teacher's" → possessive (intention belongs to the teacher)
- ✔ ✓

11. The gardener's convention is next week.

- "gardener's" → possessive (convention belongs to the gardener(s))
- ✔ ✓

12. That cars engine doesn't sound very good

- "cars" → should be car's (possessive), meaning the engine of that car
- ✘ X
→ Correct: *That car's engine...*

13. My preference's for colors are red and blue.

- "preference's" → incorrect possessive; "preference" is a singular noun, but we're not showing ownership — we mean "my preferences"
- Should be preferences (plural), not possessive
- ✘ X
→ Correct: *My preferences for colors are red and blue.*

14. My purse's front pocket has a hole in it.

- "purse's" → possessive (front pocket belongs to the purse)
- ✔ ✓

15. That nurse's demeanor is disturbing.

- "nurse's" → possessive (demeanor belongs to the nurse)
- ✔ ✓

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✔ Final Answers:

1. ✓
2. X
3. ✓
4. ✓
5. X
6. ✓
7. X
8. ✓
9. X
10. ✓
11. ✓
12. X
13. X
14. ✓
15. ✓

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🔍 Summary of Common Errors:

- Possessive vs. Plural: Many mistakes come from confusing singular possessive (add 's) with plural (just add s).
- Example: "managers" (plural) vs. "managers'" (plural possessive).
- Also, no apostrophe for plurals unless it's a possessive form.

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✔ Corrected Sentences (for reference):
2. The girl's ankle...
5. the group's choices?
7. The managers' are all on leave...
9. This chef's restaurant...
12. That car's engine...
13. My preferences for colors...

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for any specific sentence!