When it comes to forming possessive nouns in English, things can sometimes get a bit tricky. While it’s straightforward with most singular and plural nouns, words that end in “s” or have an irregular plural form often raise questions. One common example of this confusion is the possessive form of “potatoes.”
Understanding Possessive Forms
The possessive form of a noun shows ownership or association. For most singular nouns, you simply add an apostrophe and an “s” (e.g., the dog’s bone). For plural nouns that end in “s,” you typically just add an apostrophe (e.g., the dogs’ bones).
Potatoes: Singular or Plural?
The word “potatoes” is the plural form of “potato.” But when it comes to forming the possessive, the first thing to remember is whether you’re working with a plural noun or a singular noun.
Since “potatoes” is already plural, you follow the rule for plural nouns that end in “s.” Instead of adding an “s” after the apostrophe, you just add the apostrophe to indicate possession.
The Possessive Form of Potatoes
The correct possessive form of “potatoes” is potatoes’. For example:
- The potatoes’ skins were crispy and golden.
- I borrowed the potatoes’ peeler from my neighbor.
In these examples, the apostrophe after “potatoes” shows that the skins and the peeler belong to the potatoes.
Common Confusion with “Potato’s” vs. “Potatoes’”
It’s easy to confuse the possessive form of “potato” with “potatoes,” but remember:
- Potato’s: This is the possessive form of the singular noun “potato.” For example, The potato’s flavor was rich and earthy.
- Potatoes’: This is the possessive form of the plural noun “potatoes,” as explained earlier.
In short, the possessive form of “potatoes” is potatoes’. When you need to show possession for multiple potatoes, just add the apostrophe after the “s” to indicate that something belongs to the potatoes.
Understanding possessive forms in English can take some practice, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes much easier to use them correctly in writing and everyday conversation!