Possessives: Shared Ownership and Time Expressions
By the end: I can show shared ownership, separate ownership and a time relationship in writing.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
One shared thing
For a jointly owned thing, the possessive ending usually appears on the last coordinated name.
Anna and Ben’s flat is small.
Mia and Leo’s shop is open.
Separate things
Repeat the possessive ending when separate possessions are meant. Plural nouns can make the distinction clear.
Anna’s and Ben’s cars are outside.
Mia’s and Leo’s offices are on different floors.
Time expressions
Use a singular possessive for one unit and a plural possessive after plural units. A number-unit modifier is another pattern, not the same spelling.
We need one week’s notice.
We need two weeks’ notice.
Build the possessive from the time unit
Start with singular week, then add ’s.
Start with plural weeks, then add an apostrophe after its s.
Week stays singular in this number-unit modifier; no possessive apostrophe is added.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.
1. Shared flat: punctuate Anna and Bens flat.
Compare a model and explanation
Anna and Ben’s flat
One shared flat takes the ending on the last name.
2. Separate cars: punctuate Annas and Bens cars.
Compare a model and explanation
Anna’s and Ben’s cars
Both owners have separate cars in the supplied context.
3. Write the possessive: one week notice.
Compare a model and explanation
one week’s notice
Singular week takes ‘s.
4. Write the possessive: two weeks notice.
Compare a model and explanation
two weeks’ notice
Plural weeks takes a following apostrophe.
5. Correct: three day’s notice. You mean three days.
Compare a model and explanation
three days’ notice
Plural days needs the apostrophe after s.
6. Give a number-unit alternative to a notice period of two weeks.
Compare a model and explanation
a two-week notice period
This modifier keeps week singular and uses a hyphen.
7. Can audio alone show whether a learner wrote weeks’ or week’s?
Compare a model and explanation
No.
The punctuation must be inspected visually.
8. Write a sentence with separate possessions and a shared item.
Compare a model and explanation
Anna’s and Ben’s cars are parked outside Anna and Ben’s house.
State or supply context confirming what is shared.
A short conversation
Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: Do Anna and Ben share that flat?
B: Yes, but they each have their own car.
A: How much notice does their landlord need?
B: Two weeks. We’ll write two weeks’ notice on the form.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking 1
Describe a shared item and separate items belonging to two invented people.
Reveal a possible response
Mia and Leo’s flat is central. Mia’s and Leo’s bikes are different colours.
Success check: Make ownership explicit, then check the writing.
Speaking 2
Write one singular and one plural time possessive.
Reveal a possible response
One day’s notice. Three days’ notice.
Success check: Inspect apostrophe placement visually.
Put it all together
Write and then say a short property message with shared ownership, separate possessions and a notice period.
Reveal a possible response
Anna and Ben’s flat has space for Anna’s and Ben’s desks. They need two weeks’ notice before moving.
Success check: Assess meaning in speech and punctuation in writing.
Take it with you
I can show shared ownership, separate ownership and a time relationship in writing.