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Why Grammar? Christian Worldview Many of us that attended government school either never understood the importance of grammar or did not care. Some only performed the grammar exercises since it was required and/or we did not want to get "in trouble." This is so sad because grammar is not just about the mechanics of language, but has a Christian worldview behind it. Grammar, as in all things in creation, points us to our Lord.
Do you remember what a singular noun is?
Singular Noun Definition: When a noun means one only, it is said to be singular.
Examples: boy, girl, book, church, box
Possessive Case Definition: When a noun shows ownership or possession
Singular Possessives General Rule #1
To show ownership or possession of a singular noun, add an apostrophe and the letter s ('s)
Examples: boy = boy's cap, girl = girl's jumprope, bird = bird's feather, mouse = mouse's tail
Exercise
Quickly list some of the nouns (things) YOU own. Now say your name before each of the things you own.
Example: Rachel's hairbrush, Kathleen's pencil, Edward's ruler, Geoffrey's truck
The coma that hangs up in the air is called an apostrophe. This shows that the noun owns something.
Exercise
Fill in the blanks below with YOUR name.
| ____________'s shoes | ____________'s coat |
| ____________'s book | ____________'s pillow |
| ____________'s toy | ____________'s socks |
Did you notice the apostrophe s ('s)?
Singular Possessives Review Rule #2
Frequently, many become confused when a singular noun ends in "s" thinking that the word is plural. However, there are many singular proper nouns that end in "s" like Jesus, Jones, etc. When a name ends in "s" or "es", simply add an apostrophe.
| Matthew 15:30 And great multitudes came unto Him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and He healed them. |
Correct: The Jones' car is blue.
Incorrect: The Jones's house is on Fourth Street.
Did you notice the apostrophe s ('s)?
Exercise
Write the possessive of each of the following nouns and tell what each possesses.
| man | woman | king | teacher | father |
| Matthew | brother | cow | horse | mouse |
| Abigail | thief | ox | fox | church |
| driver | boatman | scholar | farmer | apple |
| week | Daniel | lion | fly | fire |
Exercise
Change the phrases to possessive nouns
Example: the wings of the fly = fly's wings
the feathers of the bird = bird's feathers
| the crying of the child |
| the trotting of the horse |
| the horn of the ox |
| the remark of the teacher |
| the growling of the dog |
| the singing of the girl |
| the socks of the boy |
| the sermon of the preacher |
| the phrase of Shakespeare |
Exercise
Chance these expressions to form the possessive case
e.g., the wagon of the farm = the farmer's wagon
| 1. the horse of the rider |
| 2. the tool of the blacksmith |
| 3. the sweater of the child |
| 4. the eye of the ox |
| 5. the decision of the court |
| 6. the chair of the barber |
| 7. the wage of sin |
| 8. the punishment of a thief |
| 9. the partner of a brother |
| 10. the wife of the husband |
| 11. the crown of the king |
| 12. the oven of the kitchen |
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