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Primary English · Year 4Chapter 4 · Plurals and possession
Year 4 · Chapter 4

Plurals and possession

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Say whether a word is singular or plural, and make the plural of most nouns
  • Make the plural of nouns that end in y, f, fe or o, and learn the irregular plurals
  • Show that one owner has something, with an apostrophe and s
  • Show that more than one owner has something, and put the apostrophe in the right place
  • Choose its, their, it's and they're, and explain why its has no apostrophe
  • Explain the difference between a plural and a possessive, and use the terms correctly

You should already know

  • Contraction apostrophes such as don't and can't (Year 2) and the possessive apostrophe with one owner (Year 3)
  • Prefixes, suffixes and root words (Chapter 3 of this book)

Where this leads

  • Direct speech, where punctuation marks are set around spoken words (Chapter 5)
  • Noun phrases, pronouns and verb forms, including possessive pronouns (Chapter 7)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 4. Content: Tell a plural -s from a possessive -s, and know that a plural never has an apostrophe, Make the plural of nouns with s, es, -ies, -ves and -o endings, and of irregular plurals such as children and teeth, Use the possessive apostrophe with a singular owner, such as the cat's tail, Use the possessive apostrophe with a plural owner: after the s when the owner ends in s (the foxes' dens), and apostrophe and s when it does not (the men's voices), Use its, their, it's and they're correctly, and know that possessive pronouns have no apostrophe, Use the terms plural, singular, possession and apostrophe.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the short form of do not, with an apostrophe.
2
FWrite the adjective made from the noun care with the suffix -ful.
3
FWrite one noun that names a person in this sentence: The teacher reads a story.
4
FWrite the verb in this sentence: The dog barks at the post.
5
PSAdd the prefix re- to write. Write the new word, and say what it means. Accept any answer that gives rewrite and says it means to write again.
4.1

Regular plurals: adding s and es

Year 4
Make the plural of most nouns by adding s, Make the plural of nouns that end in s, x, ch or sh by adding es, Know that a plural never has an apostrophe
Video lesson: Regular plurals: adding s and esComing soon
Story. Mia helps Gran tidy the garden shed. She counts the boxes and the pots, and writes each total on a card. Gran checks every card, and she says that each plural must be spelt correctly.

A plural is the word for more than one. Most nouns add s: one cat, two cats.

Some nouns end in s, x, ch or sh. These add es: one box, two boxes; one watch, two watches.

A plural never needs an apostrophe. Cat's with an apostrophe means that one cat owns something. It is not the plural of cat.

cat→catsbox→boxeswatch→watchesglass→glasses
The yellow letters are the ending added to make the plural.

Key ideas

  • Most nouns add s: cat, cats; dog, dogs; book, books.
  • A noun that ends in s, x, ch or sh adds es: box, boxes; watch, watches; glass, glasses.
  • Check the last letters of the word for one before you choose the ending.
  • A plural never has an apostrophe.
Worked example 4.1.1
Write the plural of cat.

Method. Find the rule for the ending of cat, then make the plural.

  1. Look at the word for one. Say what the word means, and look at its last letters.
    cat
  2. Find the rule for the ending. Most nouns add s to make the plural.
    cat + s = cats
  3. Make the plural. Write the new word and check every letter.
    cats
  4. Write the answer.
    cats

Check. cats is more than one cat. ✓

Watch out. Do not put an apostrophe in a plural: cats, not cat's.

Worked example 4.1.2
Write the plural of box.

Method. Find the rule for the ending of box, then make the plural.

  1. Look at the word for one. Say what the word means, and look at its last letters.
    box
  2. Find the rule for the ending. A noun that ends in s, x, ch or sh adds es.
    box + es = boxes
  3. Make the plural. Write the new word and check every letter.
    boxes
  4. Write the answer.
    boxes

Check. boxes is more than one box. ✓

Watch out. Add es after s, x, ch or sh: boxes, not boxs.

Worked example 4.1.3
Write the plural of watch.

Method. Find the rule for the ending of watch, then make the plural.

  1. Look at the word for one. Say what the word means, and look at its last letters.
    watch
  2. Find the rule for the ending. A noun that ends in s, x, ch or sh adds es.
    watch + es = watches
  3. Make the plural. Write the new word and check every letter.
    watches
  4. Write the answer.
    watches

Check. watches is more than one watch. ✓

Watch out. Add es after s, x, ch or sh: boxes, not boxs.

Watch out

Watch out: cat's is not the plural of cat. Cats is the plural. The apostrophe is for one owner, or for a short form. Do not add an apostrophe just because there is more than one of something.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to count out three things, such as three cups or three boxes. Then ask: what are the last letters of the word? If it ends in s, x, ch or sh, the plural ends in es. Otherwise, add s.

Exercise 4A  Practice: regular plurals

1
FWrite the plural of each word.
(a)Write the plural of cat.
(b)Write the plural of tree.
(c)Write the plural of box.
(d)Write the plural of watch.
2
FWrite the missing plural in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing plural: Two   ran across the park.
(b)Write the missing plural: There are ten   in the pot.
(c)Write the missing plural: Two   crossed the field at dusk.
(d)Write the missing plural: Amira put the   on the tray.
3
PSEach word below is spelt wrongly. Write it correctly.
(a)Ali writes book's. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes hat's. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes dishs. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes churchs. Write it correctly.
4
FWrite the plural of bench.
5
FWrite the plural of dress.
6
FWrite the plural of match.
7
FWrite the plural of brush.
8
PSSort these words into two groups: fox, tree, class, hat, dish. Write the words that add s, then the words that add es.
9
RAli writes three cat's for three cats. Explain the mistake, and write the correct words.
10
RExplain why watches adds es, but walks adds only s.
11
RMia says that the plural of hat is hates, because the plural of pen is pens. Is she right? Explain.
4.2

Plurals of nouns ending in y, f, fe and o

Year 4
Change the y to i and add es after a consonant and y, and add s after a vowel and y, Change f or fe to ves, and learn the nouns that just add s, Learn which nouns that end in o add es, and which add s
Video lesson: Plurals of nouns ending in y, f, fe and oComing soon
Story. Ravi's class plans a school fair. The teacher writes a list on the board: the stalls, the keys to the cupboard and the toys for the younger children. Every plural on the list must be right, because the parents will read it.

The ending of the word for one tells you how to make the plural.

If a consonant comes before the final y, change the y to i and add es: one baby, two babies. If a vowel comes before the final y, keep the y and add s: one day, two days.

Many words that end in f or fe change that ending to ves: one wolf, two wolves; one knife, two knives. A few just add s, such as chief, chiefs.

Many words that end in o add es, such as potatoes and heroes. Some just add s, such as photos. There is no rule that works for every -o word, so learn each one.

baby→babiesday→dayswolf→wolvespotato→potatoes
The yellow letters are the ending that changes or is added.
Word for oneWhat changesWord for more than one
babyy to i, then esbabies
dayy stays, add sdays
wolff changes to veswolves
chiefadd s onlychiefs
potatoadd espotatoes
photoadd sphotos
Some endings and the plurals they make.

Key ideas

  • A consonant and y: change the y to i, then add es: baby, babies.
  • A vowel and y: keep the y, then add s: day, days.
  • Most f and fe words change to ves: wolf, wolves; knife, knives. Chief just adds s.
  • Many -o words add es: potatoes, heroes. Some add s: photos, pianos. Learn each one.
Worked example 4.2.1
Write the plural of city.

Method. Find the rule for the ending of city, then make the plural.

  1. Look at the word for one. Say what the word means, and look at its last letters.
    city
  2. Find the rule for the ending. A noun that ends in a consonant and y changes the y to i, then adds es.
    city: y to i, + es = cities
  3. Make the plural. Write the new word and check every letter.
    cities
  4. Write the answer.
    cities

Check. cities is more than one city. ✓

Watch out. Change the y to i before es: babies, not babys.

Worked example 4.2.2
Write the plural of monkey.

Method. Find the rule for the ending of monkey, then make the plural.

  1. Look at the word for one. Say what the word means, and look at its last letters.
    monkey
  2. Find the rule for the ending. A noun that ends in a vowel and y just adds s. The y stays.
    monkey + s = monkeys
  3. Make the plural. Write the new word and check every letter.
    monkeys
  4. Write the answer.
    monkeys

Check. monkeys is more than one monkey. ✓

Watch out. Keep the y when a vowel comes before it: days, not daies.

Worked example 4.2.3
Write the plural of hero.

Method. Find the rule for the ending of hero, then make the plural.

  1. Look at the word for one. Say what the word means, and look at its last letters.
    hero
  2. Find the rule for the ending. Many nouns that end in o add es. Each one has to be learned.
    hero + es = heroes
  3. Make the plural. Write the new word and check every letter.
    heroes
  4. Write the answer.
    heroes

Check. heroes is more than one hero. ✓

Watch out. Learn each -o word: potatoes, not potatos.

Watch out

Watch out: do not write babys, daies or wolfs. Check the letter before the y, and check the ending of the f word. A consonant before y means a change to i; a vowel before y means the y stays.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Write the word for one, then ask: what is the letter before the last letter? Is it a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or a consonant? Then write the plural and say the rule out loud.

Exercise 4B  Practice: plurals of y, f and o words

1
FWrite the plural of each word.
(a)Write the plural of baby.
(b)Write the plural of party.
(c)Write the plural of monkey.
(d)Write the plural of shelf.
(e)Write the plural of potato.
(f)Write the plural of photo.
2
FWrite the missing plural in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing plural: Our class learned the names of five  .
(b)Write the missing plural: We go to the library on two   each week.
(c)Write the missing plural: Ben tidied his   into the box.
(d)Write the missing plural: Chef Ruby kept two sharp   in the drawer.
(e)Write the missing plural: Mum sliced two   for the salad.
3
PSEach word below is spelt wrongly. Write it correctly.
(a)Ali writes storys. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes keies. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes wolfs. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes chieves. Write it correctly.
(e)Ella writes heros. Write it correctly.
4
FWrite the plural of donkey.
5
FWrite the plural of leaf.
6
FWrite the plural of calf.
7
PSWrite the plural of echo.
8
PSWrite the plural of piano.
9
FWrite the plural of zoo.
10
RExplain why parties changes its y to i, but donkeys keeps its y.
11
RSome -o words add s and some add es. Give one example of each, and explain why these words have to be learned. Accept any correct pair, for example: photos (adds s) and potatoes (adds es), with an answer that says there is no simple rule.
4.3

Irregular plurals and words that do not change

Year 4
Learn the irregular plurals child, man, woman, foot, tooth, goose, mouse, ox and person, Know that sheep and deer are the same for one and for more than one, Explain why an irregular plural does not follow the usual rule
Video lesson: Irregular plurals and words that do not changeComing soon
Story. Ella visits a farm with her grandad. They count the sheep in the field, and the geese on the pond. A farmer tells them about the oxen that pull the cart up the hill.

Some plurals do not follow the usual rule. They change the word itself, and they have to be learned.

One child becomes two children. One man becomes three men. One tooth becomes two teeth. One person becomes five people.

Some words are the same for one and for more than one: one sheep, two sheep; one deer, two deer.

Word for oneWord for more than oneWhat happens
childchildrenthe word changes
manmenthe vowel changes
toothteeththe vowel changes
goosegeesethe vowels change
oxoxenen is added
sheepsheepno change
deerdeerno change
Irregular plurals and the words that do not change.

Key ideas

  • Irregular plurals do not end in the usual s: child, children; tooth, teeth.
  • Some irregular plurals change a vowel: man, men; foot, feet; goose, geese.
  • Sheep and deer do not change at all.
  • Irregular plurals are learned, so practise each one until it is automatic.
Worked example 4.3.1
Write the plural of child.

Method. Find the rule for the ending of child, then make the plural.

  1. Look at the word for one. Say what the word means, and look at its last letters.
    child
  2. Find the rule for the ending. This is an irregular plural. It does not follow the usual rule, so it has to be learned.
    child changes to children
  3. Make the plural. Write the new word and check every letter.
    children
  4. Write the answer.
    children

Check. children is the irregular plural of child. ✓

Watch out. Irregular plurals do not follow the usual rule: children, not childs.

Worked example 4.3.2
Write the plural of goose.

Method. Find the rule for the ending of goose, then make the plural.

  1. Look at the word for one. Say what the word means, and look at its last letters.
    goose
  2. Find the rule for the ending. This is an irregular plural. It does not follow the usual rule, so it has to be learned.
    goose changes to geese
  3. Make the plural. Write the new word and check every letter.
    geese
  4. Write the answer.
    geese

Check. geese is the irregular plural of goose. ✓

Watch out. Irregular plurals do not follow the usual rule: children, not childs.

Worked example 4.3.3
Write the plural of sheep.

Method. Find the rule for the ending of sheep, then make the plural.

  1. Look at the word for one. Say what the word means, and look at its last letters.
    sheep
  2. Find the rule for the ending. This word is the same for one and for more than one.
    sheep stays sheep
  3. Make the plural. Write the new word and check every letter.
    sheep
  4. Write the answer.
    sheep

Check. sheep is the same word for one and for more than one. ✓

Watch out. Sheep and deer do not change: two sheep, not two sheeps.

Watch out

Watch out: do not add s to an irregular plural. Write children, not childs, and men, not mans. Also do not change sheep or deer: two sheep, not two sheeps.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Make a card for each irregular plural. Write the word for one on the front and the plural on the back. Test your child every day until they can say each plural without looking.

Exercise 4C  Practice: irregular plurals

1
FWrite the plural of each word.
(a)Write the plural of child.
(b)Write the plural of foot.
(c)Write the plural of mouse.
(d)Write the plural of sheep.
2
FWrite the missing plural in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing plural: Three   carried the boxes into the hall.
(b)Write the missing plural: Ali has lost two   this week.
(c)Write the missing plural: Two   pulled the cart up the hill.
(d)Write the missing plural: Two   stood still in the forest.
3
PSEach word below is spelt wrongly. Write it correctly.
(a)Ali writes womans. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes gooses. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes persones. Write it correctly.
4
RAli says that the plural of sheep is sheeps, because most words add s. Is he right? Explain.
5
RExplain why children is a plural, even though it does not end in s.
6
PSSort these words into two groups: child, sheep, tooth, deer, goose. Which words change in the plural, and which stay the same?
7
FWrite the singular of mice.
8
FWrite the singular of geese.
9
PSWrite the singular of people.
10
RMia says that mans is the plural of man. Is she right? Write the correct plural.
11
FWhich word is correct in this sentence: Two ___ came to the door? Choose womans or women.
4.4

Singular possession and the plural -s

Year 4
Show that one owner has something, using an apostrophe and s, as in the cat's tail, Tell a plural -s, which has no apostrophe, from a possessive -s, which has one
Video lesson: Singular possession and the plural -sComing soon
Story. On the trip, Sam finds a pencil on the floor. Ali says it belongs to one pupil. The name on it is the pupil's, not the pupils.

Possession means that something belongs to someone or something. The owner is the one that has the thing.

When there is one owner, add an apostrophe and s after the owner: the cat's tail is the tail of one cat. The owner is written first, and the thing is written after it.

Look at the two kinds of -s. In the dogs ran, the -s is a plural: more than one dog. In the dog's ball, the apostrophe and s show that one dog owns the ball. You can test a possessive by writing the phrase again with of: the ball of the dog.

the cattailthe cat's tail
The owner (the cat) has the thing (the tail). The apostrophe and s show the owner.

Key ideas

  • Possession: one owner, so the apostrophe and s come after the owner: the cat's tail, Mia's coat.
  • Put the owner first, then the thing: the teacher's desk, the baby's bottle.
  • Test a possessive by writing it with of: the desk of the teacher.
  • A plural -s, as in dogs, has no apostrophe. The apostrophe and s in the dog's ball show possession.
Worked example 4.4.1
Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the den of the fox.

Method. Find the owner, count the owners, then add the apostrophe.

  1. Find the owner and the thing. The owner has the thing, so say the owner first.
    the fox has the den
  2. Count the owners. There is one owner, so add an apostrophe and s after the owner.
    one owner: add 's
  3. Add the apostrophe. Put the apostrophe where the rule says.
    the fox's
  4. Write the phrase. Put the thing after the owner.
    the fox's den
  5. Write the answer.
    the fox's den

Check. Read it back: the den belongs to the fox. ✓

Watch out. The apostrophe shows that one owner has the thing. It does not make a plural.

Worked example 4.4.2
Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the desk of the teacher.

Method. Find the owner, count the owners, then add the apostrophe.

  1. Find the owner and the thing. The owner has the thing, so say the owner first.
    the teacher has the desk
  2. Count the owners. There is one owner, so add an apostrophe and s after the owner.
    one owner: add 's
  3. Add the apostrophe. Put the apostrophe where the rule says.
    the teacher's
  4. Write the phrase. Put the thing after the owner.
    the teacher's desk
  5. Write the answer.
    the teacher's desk

Check. Read it back: the desk belongs to the teacher. ✓

Watch out. The apostrophe shows that one owner has the thing. It does not make a plural.

Worked example 4.4.3
Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the coat of Mia.

Method. Find the owner, count the owners, then add the apostrophe.

  1. Find the owner and the thing. The owner has the thing, so say the owner first.
    Mia has the coat
  2. Count the owners. There is one owner, so add an apostrophe and s after the owner.
    one owner: add 's
  3. Add the apostrophe. Put the apostrophe where the rule says.
    Mia's
  4. Write the phrase. Put the thing after the owner.
    Mia's coat
  5. Write the answer.
    Mia's coat

Check. Read it back: the coat belongs to Mia. ✓

Watch out. The apostrophe shows that one owner has the thing. It does not make a plural.

Watch out

Watch out: the cats tail is not right. The word cats is a plural, but the tail belongs to one cat, so the owner needs an apostrophe and s: the cat's tail. Count the owners first.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: how many owners are there? If there is one, the apostrophe and s go after the owner. Then ask your child to write the phrase with of to check the owner.

Exercise 4D  Practice: singular possession and plural -s

1
FWrite each phrase with an apostrophe.
(a)Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the tail of the cat.
(b)Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the seat of the bus driver.
(c)Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the desk of the teacher.
2
PSEach phrase below is written wrongly. Write it correctly.
(a)Ali writes Mias coat. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes the babys bottle. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes the pupils pencil. Write it correctly.
3
FWrite the missing phrase in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing phrase: The cows grazed in   all day.
(b)Write the missing phrase: The cubs slept in  .
4
FWrite this phrase with an apostrophe: the eggs of the hen.
5
FWrite this phrase with an apostrophe: the roar of the lion.
6
FWrite this phrase with an apostrophe: the door of the shop.
7
RCompare the cats ran with the cat's bowl. Which -s is a plural, and which one shows that one cat owns the bowl?
8
RAli says that the cats tail and the cat's tail mean the same thing. Is he right? Explain.
9
PSWrite this sentence correctly: The river bank was muddy.
10
PSWrite a phrase with one owner, an apostrophe and s, and a thing. Accept any correct phrase, for example: the robin's song.
11
FWrite the phrase with an apostrophe: the door of the shop, which has one owner.
12
RExplain why the bird's nest has the apostrophe before the s.
4.5

Possession with plural owners

Year 4
Put the apostrophe after the s when a plural owner ends in s, as in the foxes' dens, Add apostrophe and s when a plural owner does not end in s, as in the men's voices, Explain how many owners there are, and where the apostrophe goes
Video lesson: Possession with plural ownersComing soon
Story. The school hall is full of work from every class. The pupils' books are on one table, and the children's drawings cover the walls. The teachers' room is at the end of the corridor.

Sometimes the owner is more than one. Then the apostrophe goes in a different place.

If the plural owner ends in s, put the apostrophe after the s: the foxes' dens is the dens of more than one fox. No extra s is added.

If the plural owner does not end in s, add apostrophe and s: the men's voices is the voices of more than one man.

the teachersroomthe teachers' room
The owners end in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s.
Plural ownerEnds in s?Apostrophe
the foxesyesthe foxes' dens
the pupilsyesthe pupils' books
the mennothe men's voices
the childrennothe children's drawings
A plural owner, whether it ends in s, and where the apostrophe goes.

Key ideas

  • A plural owner that ends in s: the apostrophe goes after the s, as in the teachers' room.
  • A plural owner that does not end in s: add apostrophe and s, as in the men's voices.
  • Count the owners first, then look at the last letter of the owner word.
  • Check the owner, not the thing: the teachers' room belongs to more than one teacher.
Worked example 4.5.1
Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the names of the girls.

Method. Find the owner, count the owners, then add the apostrophe.

  1. Find the owner and the thing. The owner has the thing, so say the owner first.
    the girls has the names
  2. Count the owners. There is more than one owner, and the owner word ends in s. The apostrophe goes after the s, and no extra s is added.
    more than one owner ending in s: add ' after the s
  3. Add the apostrophe. Put the apostrophe where the rule says.
    the girls'
  4. Write the phrase. Put the thing after the owner.
    the girls' names
  5. Write the answer.
    the girls' names

Check. Read it back: the names belongs to the girls. ✓

Watch out. The apostrophe goes after the s, and no extra s is added.

Worked example 4.5.2
Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the choice of the people.

Method. Find the owner, count the owners, then add the apostrophe.

  1. Find the owner and the thing. The owner has the thing, so say the owner first.
    the people has the choice
  2. Count the owners. There is more than one owner, and the owner word does not end in s, so add an apostrophe and s.
    more than one owner not ending in s: add 's
  3. Add the apostrophe. Put the apostrophe where the rule says.
    the people's
  4. Write the phrase. Put the thing after the owner.
    the people's choice
  5. Write the answer.
    the people's choice

Check. Read it back: the choice belongs to the people. ✓

Watch out. Irregular plurals such as children still take an apostrophe and s.

Worked example 4.5.3
Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the nests of the birds.

Method. Find the owner, count the owners, then add the apostrophe.

  1. Find the owner and the thing. The owner has the thing, so say the owner first.
    the birds has the nests
  2. Count the owners. There is more than one owner, and the owner word ends in s. The apostrophe goes after the s, and no extra s is added.
    more than one owner ending in s: add ' after the s
  3. Add the apostrophe. Put the apostrophe where the rule says.
    the birds'
  4. Write the phrase. Put the thing after the owner.
    the birds' nests
  5. Write the answer.
    the birds' nests

Check. Read it back: the nests belongs to the birds. ✓

Watch out. The apostrophe goes after the s, and no extra s is added.

Watch out

Watch out: the girl's names means the names of one girl. The girls' names means the names of more than one girl. Count the owners first, then choose where the apostrophe goes.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: is the owner one thing or more than one? If it is more than one, does it end in s? If it ends in s, the apostrophe goes after the s. If it does not, add apostrophe and s.

Exercise 4E  Practice: possession with plural owners

1
FWrite each phrase with an apostrophe.
(a)Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the names of the girls.
(b)Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the tractors of the farmers.
(c)Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the dens of the foxes.
(d)Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the team of the women.
2
PSEach phrase below is written wrongly. Write it correctly.
(a)Ali writes the pupil's books. Write it correctly.
(b)Mia writes the parent's car. Write it correctly.
(c)Sam writes the childrens drawings. Write it correctly.
(d)Ben writes the people choice. Write it correctly.
3
FWrite the missing phrase in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing phrase: We met in   after lunch.
(b)Write the missing phrase: We looked at   in the hedge.
(c)Write the missing phrase: We heard   across the field.
4
FWrite this phrase with an apostrophe: the wings of the birds.
5
FWrite this phrase with an apostrophe: the games of the children.
6
PSWrite this phrase with an apostrophe: the ideas of the pupils.
7
RExplain why the teachers' room has the apostrophe after the s, but the children's room has it before the s.
8
RAli says that the foxes' dens and the foxes's dens are both right. Is he right? Explain.
9
PSWrite a pair of phrases: one with a plural owner that ends in s, and one with a plural owner that does not. Accept any correct pair, for example: the sailors' boats and the men's boats.
10
RMia says that the apostrophe in the girls' coats shows more than one girl. Is she right?
11
PSWrite this phrase with an apostrophe: the bags of the ladies.
4.6

Its, it's, their and they're

Year 4
Use its and their, which show possession and have no apostrophe, Use it's and they're, which are short forms and have an apostrophe, Know that his, hers, ours, yours and theirs also have no apostrophe
Video lesson: Its, it's, their and they'reComing soon
Story. Ali writes a short note about his pet cat, Luna. He wants to say where she sleeps, and what she likes to do, but he is not sure which words to use.

Its and their show that something belongs to it or to them. They are possessive words, and they have no apostrophe: the cat licked its paw; the children hung up their coats.

It's is short for it is, and they're is short for they are. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters, so these words need one.

The possessive words his, hers, ours, yours and theirs also have no apostrophe.

WordWhat it meansApostrophe?
itsbelonging to itno
it'sit isyes: the missing i
theirbelonging to themno
they'rethey areyes: the missing a
his, hers, ours, yours, theirsbelonging to him, her, us, you or themno
Possessive words have no apostrophe. Short forms have one.

Key ideas

  • Its and their show possession and have no apostrophe: its paw, their coats.
  • It's means it is. They're means they are. Both have an apostrophe.
  • His, hers, ours, yours and theirs have no apostrophe.
  • If you can put it is or they are in the sentence, use the short form with the apostrophe.
Worked example 4.6.1
Write the missing word: The cat licked   paw.

Method. Decide what the word means in the sentence, then choose its, it's, their or they're.

  1. Read the sentence. Decide whether a thing belongs to someone, or whether two words are joined.
    The cat licked ___ paw.
  2. Choose the word. Its shows that the paw belongs to the cat. Possessive words such as its have no apostrophe.
    its
  3. Put it in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    The cat licked its paw.
  4. Write the answer.
    its

Check. Read the whole sentence with its in it. ✓

Watch out. Its and their have no apostrophe. It's means it is, and they're means they are.

Worked example 4.6.2
Write the missing word:   cold, so wear a scarf.

Method. Decide what the word means in the sentence, then choose its, it's, their or they're.

  1. Read the sentence. Decide whether a thing belongs to someone, or whether two words are joined.
    ___ cold, so wear a scarf.
  2. Choose the word. It's is short for it is, so the apostrophe is needed.
    It's
  3. Put it in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    It's cold, so wear a scarf.
  4. Write the answer.
    It's

Check. Read the whole sentence with It's in it. ✓

Watch out. Its and their have no apostrophe. It's means it is, and they're means they are.

Worked example 4.6.3
Write the missing word:   late, so we must hurry.

Method. Decide what the word means in the sentence, then choose its, it's, their or they're.

  1. Read the sentence. Decide whether a thing belongs to someone, or whether two words are joined.
    ___ late, so we must hurry.
  2. Choose the word. They're is short for they are, so the apostrophe is needed.
    They're
  3. Put it in the gap. Read the sentence again. It makes sense.
    They're late, so we must hurry.
  4. Write the answer.
    They're

Check. Read the whole sentence with They're in it. ✓

Watch out. Its and their have no apostrophe. It's means it is, and they're means they are.

Watch out

Watch out: it's with an apostrophe is only short for it is or it has. The dog wagged its tail, not it's tail. Read it aloud as it is: if it makes sense, use it's.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to replace it's with it is in each sentence. If the sentence still makes sense, the apostrophe is right. If not, the word is probably its, with no apostrophe.

Exercise 4F  Practice: its, it's, their and they're

1
FWrite the missing word in each sentence.
(a)Write the missing word: The cat licked   paw.
(b)Write the missing word:   cold, so wear a scarf.
(c)Write the missing word: The children hung up   coats.
(d)Write the missing word:   late, so we must hurry.
2
PSEach sentence below is written wrongly. Write the sentence correctly.
(a)Ali writes Its cold, so wear a scarf.. Write the sentence correctly.
(b)Mia writes The dog wagged it's tail.. Write the sentence correctly.
(c)Sam writes Their going to the park.. Write the sentence correctly.
(d)Ben writes The children hung up there coats.. Write the sentence correctly.
3
FWrite the word that matches each meaning.
(a)Write the word that means it is.
(b)Write the word that means belonging to it.
(c)Write the word that means belonging to them.
(d)Write the word that means they are.
4
RAli says that its and it's mean the same thing. Is he right? Explain.
5
FWrite its or it's in the gap: The bird fluffed ___ feathers.
6
PSWrite this sentence correctly: Its cold, so the dog wears its coat.
7
RExplain why the words his, hers, ours, yours and theirs have no apostrophe.
8
FWhich is correct: The shop lost its keys or The shop lost it's keys? Write the correct sentence.
9
RA sign says Its raining. Write the sign correctly, and say why.
10
PSWrite one sentence with its, where it means belonging to a thing. Accept any correct sentence, for example: The tree lost its leaves.
11
PSWrite one sentence with their, where it means belonging to more than one person. Accept any correct sentence, for example: The friends put their bags in the hall.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
PluralMore than one. Most nouns add s (cat, cats). Nouns ending in s, x, ch or sh add es (box, boxes; watch, watches).
y and f endingsConsonant + y: change the y to i, add es (baby, babies). Vowel + y: add s (day, days). f or fe: change to ves (wolf, wolves; knife, knives). A few add only s (chief, chiefs).
o endingsMany add es (potato, potatoes; hero, heroes). Some add s (photo, photos; piano, pianos; zoo, zoos). Learn each one.
Irregular pluralschild, children; man, men; woman, women; foot, feet; tooth, teeth; goose, geese; mouse, mice; ox, oxen; person, people. The same for one and more than one: sheep, deer.
Possession, one ownerApostrophe and s after the owner: the cat's tail, Mia's coat, the teacher's desk.
Possession, plural ownerOwner ends in s: apostrophe after the s (the foxes' dens). Owner does not end in s: apostrophe and s (the men's voices, the children's drawings).
Plural or possession?A plural never has an apostrophe (cats). Test a possessive by writing it with of: the tail of the cat.
its, it's, their, they'reIts and their show possession, with no apostrophe. It's means it is; they're means they are. His, hers, ours, yours and theirs have no apostrophe.

Can you…?

  • I can make the plural of most nouns by adding s, or es after s, x, ch or sh
  • I can make the plural of nouns that end in y, f, fe or o, and know which ones are exceptions
  • I can spell the common irregular plurals, such as children, men, teeth and geese
  • I can add an apostrophe and s to show that one owner has something
  • I can put the apostrophe after the s when a plural owner ends in s, and add apostrophe and s when it does not
  • I can tell a plural from a possessive, and I know that a plural never has an apostrophe
  • I can choose its, their, it's and they're correctly, and I know that its has no apostrophe

Key terms

singular
one thing, or a word for one thing, such as cat, box or child
plural
more than one, such as cats, boxes or children
irregular plural
a plural that does not follow the usual rule, such as children or teeth
possession
when something belongs to someone or something
owner
the one that has something: in the cat's tail, the owner is the cat
apostrophe
a mark (') used to show an owner, or where letters are left out, such as in don't
possessive pronoun
a word that shows who owns something, such as its, their, his or hers; it has no apostrophe
short form
two words joined into one, with an apostrophe where letters are left out, such as it's or they're

Exercise 4Z  Check-up

1
Write the plural of lady.
2
Write the plural of loaf.
3
Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the bag of the girl.
4
Ali writes the farmers fields. Write it correctly.
5
Write the missing word:   time for lunch.
6
Write the plural of sheep.
7
Ali says that the plural of tooth is tooths. Is he right? Explain.
8
Write one phrase with a singular owner and one with a plural owner that ends in s. Accept any correct pair, for example: the cat's bowl and the cats' bowls.
9
Write this phrase with an apostrophe: the wing of the bird.
10
Mia writes the owls nest. Write it correctly.
11
Write this sentence correctly: The owl flew into it's nest.

Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.

Exercise 4X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the plural of puppy.[1 mark]
2
FWrite the possessive phrase: the house of the mouse, with one owner.[1 mark]
3
PSWrite its or it's in the gap: The bird built ___ nest in the tree.[1 mark]
4
FWrite the plural of day, and say which ending you add.[2 marks]
5
FWrite the plural of child and the plural of man.[2 marks]
6
FWrite the phrase with an apostrophe: the wagons of the farmers.[2 marks]
7
PSWrite this sentence correctly: The glass's were on the shelf.[2 marks]
8
RAli says that the plural of chief is chieves. Is he right? Explain using the ending.[3 marks]
9
PSWrite this sentence correctly: Its cold, and the children's coats are on the hooks; its time for play.[3 marks]
10
RMia writes The three foxs dens are near the river. Write it correctly, and explain the two changes you make.[3 marks]
← Chapter 3: Prefixes, suffixes and word familiesChapter 5: Direct speech →

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