When we want to show that something belongs to Congress, we use possessive forms. These forms help us understand that something is owned or connected to Congress. You might see both Congress’ and Congress’s. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you learn when to use each one.
What is a Possessive?
Before we dive into Congress’ and Congress’s, let’s quickly understand what a possessive means.
A possessive form shows ownership. For example:
- Tim’s book means the book belongs to Tim.
- The dog’s bone means the bone belongs to the dog.
Singular Possessive of Congress
When we want to say that something belongs to one Congress, we use a possessive form. Congress’ and Congress’s both show ownership, but there’s a small difference. Let’s see which one is correct.
Congress’ vs. Congress’s: Which to Use?
- Congress’: This is the most common form. We usually add an apostrophe (‘) after the “s” at the end of a singular noun. Even though Congress ends with “s,” many people prefer to add only an apostrophe (no extra “s”).Example: “The Congress’ decision was important.”
- Congress’s: Some people add both an apostrophe and an s after Congress. This is also okay, but not as common.Example: “The Congress’s decision was important.”
While both are correct, we will use Congress’ in most cases because it sounds more natural.
Plural Possessive of Congress
Now, let’s talk about the plural form of Congress. If you are talking about more than one Congress (for example, several groups of people from different times), you use the plural possessive.
Plurals don’t apply as much to Congress, but when they do, here’s how we use them:
- Congress’s: While this might seem strange, the plural possessive would have the same form as the singular possessive in some cases.Example: “The Congress’s laws were passed.”
Table for Clear Understanding
To make it even easier, let’s break this down in a table:
| Form | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Congress’ | “The Congress’ law was passed.” | Singular possessive, most common form. |
| Congress’s | “The Congress’s decision changed.” | Singular possessive, sometimes used but less common. |
| Congress’s | “The Congress’s actions are noted.” | Plural possessive (used in rare cases when referring to multiple Congresses). |
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you use Congress’ or Congress’s doesn’t need to be confusing.
- Use Congress’ for something that belongs to one Congress.
- Use Congress’s in the same situation if you feel like it, but Congress’ is more common.
- The plural form, though rare, can still use Congress’s for things owned by multiple Congresses.
Now you know the basics! This is an easy way to understand these possessive forms in a fun and simple way.
