Possessive Nouns — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Sort each word into pronoun or noun possessive.
Possessive pronoun (no apostrophe)
hishertheir Possessive noun (uses apostrophe)
Sam'sMom'skids' Apostrophe placement signals whether the owner is singular or plural — the key rule of possessives.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. His book was on the shelf. (belonging to him)
His is a possessive pronoun and never takes an apostrophe.
2. Sam's hat fell off. (belonging to Sam)
Singular proper nouns add 's to show ownership of an item.
3. Their cars were red. (belonging to them)
Their is a possessive pronoun written without any apostrophe.
4. The kids' toys were new. (belonging to many kids)
Plural nouns ending in s take only an apostrophe after the s.
5. Mom's keys jingled. (belonging to Mom)
A singular noun adds 's to become a possessive noun.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. The word his needs an apostrophe to show it owns something.
True False
Possessive pronouns like his and her never use apostrophes.
2. Mom's bag means the bag belongs to Mom.
True False
Adding 's to a singular noun shows that noun owns the item.
3. Their and they're mean the same thing.
True False
Their shows ownership; they're is a contraction of they are.
4. Kids' toys means toys that belong to many kids.
True False
Plural noun kids ending in s takes only an apostrophe to show possession.