In 10 years' time ? my parents' permission ? Apostrophy s' ???

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Anonymous  #228549  Wed, 24 May 06 02:47 PM

Hello,

Maybe you can help me (not native to english) explain why I place an apostrophy AFTER the S when I write for example: in 10 years' time or with my parents' permission.

Does it stand for my parents their permission but I can not write parents's ? (theirs) If so, how does one explain the 10 years' time ? I hope someone can explain this to me.

Thank you very much.

  
Manue  #228572  Wed, 24 May 06 03:26 PM

In the possessive form, if the noun is plural, or already ends in -s, just add:' (an apostrophe). e.g. the girls' room.

For names ending with an s, both the ' and the  's are accepted e.g. James' coat  or James' s coat.

 

  
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pieanne  #228610  Wed, 24 May 06 04:32 PM

In thge possessive form, if the name's in the plural with an -s, you just add the  '  . If the plural doesn' t end with an S, you have to add the  's.

The children's room, but my parents' car.

  
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YoHf  #228699  Wed, 24 May 06 09:46 PM
 Anonymous wrote:

Does it stand for my parents their permission but I can not write parents's ? (theirs) If so, how does one explain the 10 years' time ? I hope someone can explain this to me.

Just wanted to add: you may also find some words ending with -s followed by the 's.

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