False Possessive : who owns the apostrophe?
Sometimes words appear to be in the possessive case but there is no real ownership, such as:
- a month's pay ["month" is singular, so apostrophe before "s"]
- two days' washing ["days" is plural, so apostrophe after "s"]
- yesterday's appointments ["yeserday" is singular, so apostrophe before "s"]
- last year's bank statements ["year" is singular, so apostrophe before "s"]
- two years' receipts ["years" is plural, so apostrophe after "s"]
- girls' underwear ["girls" is plural, so apostrophe after "s"]
Although it looks like there is ownership, it is really called *False Possessive*, and yes an apostrophe IS required in these instances.
NOTE: You put the apostrophe *after* the *s* when the word is plural, as in examples above - Items 2, 5 + 6.
Just remember, not everyone knows how to do this *apostrophe* thing ... even I have to stop and think sometimes, to make sure I get it right. There's nothing wrong with looking it up online ... don't forget to come to the Humble Apostrophe if you're not sure where to put your apostrophe, punctuation or parts of speech! :-)
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Which is correct if there is more than one, but no possessive after month.
Four or five months.
or
Four or five months'.
False Possessive : Which is right - months or months' with an apostrophe?
Hi there Sue,
Thanks for your question, and I'd love to help but I need more information. In order to know whether to use an apostrophe or not, the whole sentence needs to be taken into consideration.
If you'd like to send more info, I can certainly help. In the meantime, I'll post some examples for you.
Example 1: "Kylie is either four or five months pregnant - we're all excited!"
In this sentence above, you're simply stating the length of a pregnancy - there is no need for an apostrophe in this sentence, and as you've stated there is NO POSSESSIVE here.
Example 2: "I'm going to a French class - I think it takes four or five months."
In Example 2 there is no possessive, so no apostrophe is required.
Example 3: "Brian took four or five months' leave of absence."
In Example 3 there is a 'false possessive' - I could ask, "How much leave?", and the answer is "Four or five months." So the 'months' actually 'own' the 'leave', which shows ownership or possession.
As the months are 'plural', put the apostrophe AFTER the word.
I do hope this helps,
Cheers
Teena
Which one is correct:
cow's milk formula/cows' milk formula
hen's egg allergy/hens' egg allergy
Reply to Apostrophe Question
Hi there M Pendrill!
Thank you for your curly question!
In regard to using "cow's milk formula" or "cows' milk formula", it would depend on the sentence and how many cows were involved, but in most instances I suspect you would be referring to the formula created by the milk from many cows - rather than one lone cow.
For example
"The cows' milk formula I bought in the supermarket was on sale today." is correct.
BUT - if you own one cow and you create your own cow's milk formula, the apostrophe would appear after the 'w'.
"The doctor told me about hens' egg allergy, and wants me to be tested." -- meaning it's possible you are allergic to all eggs from hens, not just one hen at one farm.
I hope this helps!
Cheers
Teena
Apostrophe Queen :-)