When it comes to forming possessives and plurals in English, the rules can sometimes be tricky, especially when words end in certain letters. One such example is the word “policeman.” Let’s break down how to properly form the plural possessive for “policeman.”
1. Plural of “Policeman”
The first step is to determine the plural form of “policeman.” Since “policeman” ends with an “n,” we form the plural by changing “man” to “men.” So, the plural of “policeman” is “policemen.”
2. Possessive of “Policemen”
Next, we need to form the possessive. For regular nouns that end in “n,” we typically add an apostrophe after the “n.” This indicates that something belongs to the group of policemen. So, the plural possessive form of “policemen” is:
“Policemen’s”
Example Sentences:
- The policemen’s uniforms were all pressed and clean.
- The policemen’s actions were commendable during the parade.
A Quick Recap:
- Singular Possessive: Policeman’s (belonging to one policeman)
- Plural: Policemen (more than one policeman)
- Plural Possessive: Policemen’s (belonging to more than one policeman)
Understanding how to form the plural possessive is important for clarity in both written and spoken communication. So, the next time you’re talking about multiple policemen owning something, remember that the correct form is “policemen’s!”