Posessive vs. Possessive: The Correct Spellings
Edited by Muneeza Rehman — By Muazma Batool — Published on April 25, 2024
"Posessive" is incorrect; the correct spelling is "possessive." Possessive refers to a grammatical case that indicates ownership or possession.
Which is correct: Posessive or Possessive
How to spell Possessive?
Incorrect Spelling
Posessive
Correct Spelling
Possessive
Is it Posessive or Possessive
Use the mnemonic "Possessive snakes (ss) hiss when they own something" to remember the double "ss" in both instances.
Henry
Apr 25, 2024
Associate "possessive" with "possession," both stressing the concept of ownership and therefore sharing a double "s."
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Remember that "possessive" has double "s" both times it appears, similar to the word "possession," which also deals with owning something.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Think of "possessive" as having more "s" because you're stressing the ownership or the "essence" of possession.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
The word "possessive" includes "ss" twice, just like in "misspell," reminding you to check the spelling carefully.
Elijah
Apr 25, 2024
How Do You Spell Possessive Correctly?
Incorrect: His posessive attitude was becoming a problem.
Correct: His possessive attitude was becoming a problem.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Incorrect: She didn't like the posessive pronouns in the sentence.
Correct: She didn't like the possessive pronouns in the sentence.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Incorrect: He found the posessive case in English quite challenging.
Correct: He found the possessive case in English quite challenging.
Kaitlyn
Apr 25, 2024
Incorrect: The teacher explained how to use posessive adjectives.
Correct: The teacher explained how to use possessive adjectives.
Nolan
Apr 25, 2024
Incorrect: The posessive form of "dog" is "dog's."
Correct: The possessive form of "dog" is "dog's."
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Possessive Definitions
In psychology, referring to a desire to control or dominate another's time or affection.
A possessive partner may feel threatened by their significant other's independence.
Henry
Feb 25, 2024
A grammatical case indicating possession.
Possessive pronouns include my, your, his, her, its, our, and their.
Muazma Batool
Feb 25, 2024
Showing ownership or relation to the owner.
The possessive form of cat is cat's, indicating something belonging to the cat.
Leo
Feb 25, 2024
Relating to or characteristic of someone overly concerned with possession.
His possessive behavior over his books made it hard to borrow one.
Lucas
Feb 25, 2024
The category of pronouns and adjectives that express ownership.
Her in her book and mine in the book is mine are possessive forms.
Levi
Feb 25, 2024
Of or relating to ownership or possession.
Muazma Batool
Feb 20, 2024
Having or manifesting a desire to control or dominate another, especially in order to limit that person's relationships with others
A possessive parent.
Muazma Batool
Feb 20, 2024
The possessive case.
Muazma Batool
Feb 20, 2024
A possessive form or construction.
Nolan
Feb 20, 2024
Of or pertaining to ownership or possession.
Lucas
Feb 20, 2024
Possessive Meaning in a Sentence
The cat's possessive stare made it clear she wasn't sharing her toy.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Her essay discussed the use of possessive nouns in literature.
Jonathan
Apr 25, 2024
My brother's possessive nature means he labels all his belongings.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
The book explains how possessive constructions vary in different languages.
Henry
Apr 25, 2024
She used a possessive to indicate the dog's owner.
Lucas
Apr 25, 2024
The possessive form of "child" is "child's."
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Possessive relationships can be detrimental to individual growth.
Elijah
Apr 25, 2024
In English, possessive pronouns don't need an apostrophe.
Henry
Apr 25, 2024
Possessive adjectives are used to show ownership of something.
Leo
Apr 25, 2024
The possessive "its" does not have an apostrophe.
Henry
Apr 25, 2024
The story was confusing because of its incorrect use of possessive cases.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Possessive adjectives modify nouns to show who owns something.
Kaitlyn
Apr 25, 2024
Her possessive use of "my" indicated she wasn't sharing.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Understanding the difference between possessive and plural forms is crucial.
Lucas
Apr 25, 2024
His possessive attitude towards his friends pushed them away.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Learning possessive forms helps in mastering a language.
Leo
Apr 25, 2024
He corrected the sign from "it's" to the possessive "its."
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
They practiced using possessive nouns in their sentences.
Lucas
Apr 25, 2024
Teachers often stress the importance of correctly using possessive pronouns.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
The child's possessive grip on the toy showed his attachment.
Leo
Apr 25, 2024
English learners sometimes struggle with possessive structures.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
The novel featured a character with a possessive obsession.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Using possessive pronouns correctly improves your writing.
Elijah
Apr 25, 2024
The possessive case can also show relationships between people.
Lucas
Apr 25, 2024
The teacher's guide included exercises on possessive adjectives and pronouns.
Jonathan
Apr 25, 2024
Possessive Idioms
A possessive streak
A tendency to be controlling over people or things.
He's got a possessive streak when it comes to his video games.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you form the possessive of a plural noun?
For plural nouns ending in "s," add only an apostrophe e.g., dogs' toys. For plural nouns not ending in "s," add apostrophe "s" e.g., children's books.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
What is the possessive case?
The possessive case is a grammatical way to show ownership or a relationship to something, often marked by an apostrophe and "s" e.g., the dog's leash.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
How can possessiveness be portrayed in a negative sense?
In relationships or behavior, possessiveness can imply an unhealthy desire to control or dominate, leading to restrictions on freedom and autonomy.
Levi
Apr 25, 2024
What are possessive pronouns?
Possessive pronouns are words that show ownership and replace nouns, such as "mine," "yours," "his," "hers," "ours," and "theirs."
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Are there rules for possessive forms of names ending in "s"?
Yes, for names ending in "s," both forms are correct: adding an apostrophe "s" (James's book) or just an apostrophe (James' book), depending on stylistic guides.
Nolan
Apr 25, 2024
How do possessive adjectives differ from possessive pronouns?
Possessive adjectives (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) modify a noun to show ownership, while possessive pronouns stand alone and replace nouns.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Can objects be possessive?
Grammatically, objects can have a possessive form to show ownership or association, even though they do not have the capacity to own something themselves.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
What's the difference between "its" and "it's"?
"Its" is a possessive adjective meaning belonging to it, while "it's" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has."
Elijah
Apr 25, 2024
Can a word be possessive without an apostrophe?
Yes, possessive pronouns (like "mine," "yours," etc.) show ownership without using an apostrophe.
Olivia
Apr 25, 2024
How do you teach the concept of possessiveness to language learners?
Teaching possessiveness involves explaining the use of apostrophes for singular and plural possessives, the difference between possessive pronouns and adjectives, and practicing with examples and exercises.
Muazma Batool
Apr 25, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
Edited by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
