When we want to show that something belongs to a person, we use the possessive form. In this article, we will learn how to use the possessive form with “Jess” in different situations: singular possessive, plural possessive, and plural forms.
Let’s dive into the basics and see the differences between “Jess’” and “Jess’s” through examples, and help you understand how to use them correctly.
What Does Possessive Mean?
Possessive shows ownership. When something is possessed by someone, it belongs to them. For example:
- Jess’s pencil means that the pencil belongs to Jess.
- Jess’s car means the car belongs to Jess.
There are two main types of possessive forms:
- Singular Possessive (one person/thing)
- Plural Possessive (many people/things)
Singular Possessive: Jess’s or Jess’?
Rule:
To show that something belongs to Jess, you can use “Jess’s” if Jess is one person and you’re talking about one item.
Examples:
- Jess’s book – The book belongs to Jess.
- Jess’s cat – The cat belongs to Jess.
What if the Word Ends with “S”?
Some people get confused when a name ends with “s,” like Jess. The choice between “Jess’s” and “Jess’” can depend on style preference. Both are correct in informal writing, but in formal writing (especially in AP style), you might see Jess’ without the extra “s.”
Here’s the general rule:
- Jess’s is more common in regular speech and writing.
- Jess’ is also used, especially in formal or AP style.
Plural Possessive: Jess’s Friends’ Cars
Rule:
For the plural possessive, you first make the name plural and then add the possessive apostrophe (or apostrophe and “s”).
Examples:
If you’re talking about many people or things that belong to Jess, you use the plural form:
- Jess’s friends’ cars – The cars belong to Jess’s friends (many friends).
- Jess’s students’ notebooks – The notebooks belong to Jess’s students.
In both cases, you first make friends and students plural and then add the possessive mark after the “s” to show that something belongs to them.
To recap:
- For one person or thing (Singular): Jess’s or Jess’
- For many people or things (Plural): Jess’s [plural noun]’s or Jess’s [plural noun]
Using Possessive with Plural Noun
Let’s look at a few examples where we already have a plural noun and want to show ownership.
Singular Example:
- Jess’s pen (pen belongs to Jess).
Plural Example:
- The students’ books (books belong to the students).
- Jess’s family’s house (house belongs to Jess’s family).
Notice the difference in the possessive rules with singular or plural nouns.
Quick Table Overview
To help you better understand, here’s a quick comparison of the different possessive forms of Jess:
| Type | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Possessive | Jess’s pencil, Jess’s dog | Something belongs to one person (Jess). |
| Plural Possessive | Jess’s friends’ books, Jess’s teams’ victories | Plural form where you show possession from a group of people/things. |
Conclusion
Understanding possessive nouns is easy once you get the hang of using Jess’s or Jess’ properly! Just remember:
- Singular Possessive: Use Jess’s or Jess’ for something that belongs to Jess.
- Plural Possessive: Use Jess’s [plural noun]’s if you’re talking about multiple things belonging to a group.
Now you should feel confident when talking about things that belong to Jess!
