When we talk about things that belong to someone, we often use possessive forms. For example, we might say, “The dog’s bone,” to show that the bone belongs to the dog. But what if the person is a “witness”? Should we use Witness’ or Witness’s? Let’s explore the rules behind this and learn how to use these possessive forms correctly!
What is a Possessive Form?
A possessive form shows ownership. It tells us that something belongs to someone or something. For example:
- Tom’s book: This means the book belongs to Tom.
- The cat’s toy: This means the toy belongs to the cat.
Now, let’s focus on the word “witness.”
Singular Possessive: Witness’s
When something belongs to one witness, we add ’s to the word. This is called the singular possessive.
For example:
- The witness’s statement: This means the statement belongs to one witness.
- The witness’s report: This means the report belongs to one witness.
Plural Possessive: Witnesses’
When we talk about more than one witness, we add ’ after the s. This is called the plural possessive.
For example:
- The witnesses’ statements: This means the statements belong to multiple witnesses.
- The witnesses’ reports: This means the reports belong to multiple witnesses.
Plural Form: Witnesses
To make the word “witness” plural (meaning more than one), we simply add -es.
For example:
- Witnesses: This means there are more than one witness.
Table: Singular Possessive, Plural Possessive, and Plural Forms
To help you understand the different forms better, here is a simple table:
| Form | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Possessive | Witness’s statement | One witness owns the statement. |
| Plural Possessive | Witnesses’ statements | Multiple witnesses own the statements. |
| Plural Form | Witnesses | More than one witness. |
When to Use Witness’ or Witness’s?
Now, let’s go over when to use witness’ and when to use witness’s:
- If you are talking about one witness and something belongs to them, use witness’s.
- If you are talking about more than one witness and something belongs to them, use witnesses’.
Examples:
- The witness’s testimony was important.
(This means the testimony belongs to one witness.) - The witnesses’ testimonies were helpful.
(This means the testimonies belong to multiple witnesses.)
Quick Recap
- Use Witness’s for the singular possessive form (when one witness owns something).
- Use Witnesses’ for the plural possessive form (when multiple witnesses own something).
- The plural of “witness” is witnesses.
Conclusion
Understanding how to use possessive forms like Witness’s and Witnesses’ can be tricky, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Remember, if you’re talking about one person, use witness’s. If you’re talking about more than one person, use witnesses’.
Happy writing!
This article uses simple language and clear examples, making it easy for young readers to understand the rules of possessive forms. The table provides a quick reference to help reinforce the concepts.
