1. 's is used with singular nouns and plural nouns not ending in -s
The man's job - men's perfume - the woman's car - women's handbags -
a child's voice - the children's room - the people's choice - the boy's house
2. A simple apostrophe (') is used with plural nouns ending in -s
The girls' money - the students' books The boys' schoolbag
3. Note the difference:
Peter and Tom's house = Peter and Tom own the same house.
Peter's and Tom's house = Peter and Tom own different houses
4. With compound nouns or names consisting of several words, the last word takes the 's
Her sister-in-law's friend - My step-father's name -
Henry the Eighth's wives - The Prince of Wales's guard
5. Names ending in s can take 's or the apostrophe alone (')
James's house /[...sɪz] James' house
6. In time expressions
a week's holiday - today's newspaper . tomorrow's land
Adapted from A Practical English Grammar A.J Thomson, A.V. Martinet Oxford
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