A possessive noun is a noun indicating ownership or possession, and origin or purpose.
Examples showing ownership or possession:
- the car of my mother = my mother's car
- the teacher of our class = our class's teacher
- the coats of the children = the children's coats
- the covers of the books = the books' covers
- the meeting of the bosses = the bosses' meeting
Examples showing origin or purpose:
- The ladies' room does not belong to ladies, it means that it is designated for the use of ladies.
- A store that sells men's suits doesn't sell suits that belong to some men, it sells suits for men.
- A book of Shakespeare's plays are not plays that belong to Mr. Shakespeare, they are plays originated by him.
- yesterday's news is news that originated yesterday.
- A possessive noun shows ownership or possession.
- A possessive noun shows origin or purpose.
