Meaning & use
compound possession
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Meanings
noununcountabletechnical
A grammatical structure in which two or more nouns share one possessive marker, usually placed on the final noun.
Grammar: Names a grammatical pattern; it is not used with 'a' or a plural.
Patterns
- compound possession with nouns
- use compound possession
In 'my mother and father's car', the apostrophe s is an example of compound possession.
Teachers often explain compound possession when students ask where to put the apostrophe in 'Ben and Jerry's ice cream'.
The phrase 'John and Mary's wedding' shows compound possession because only Mary carries the possessive ending.
noununcountablelegalbusiness
A situation in which more than one person or group owns something together, especially in legal or business contexts.
Grammar: Refers to shared ownership as an idea; it is not a countable object.
Patterns
- compound possession of something
- joint compound possession
The two companies were in compound possession of the patent after the merger.
Under the agreement, compound possession of the land was shared equally between the families.
Common combinations
- use compound possession
- Writers often use compound possession to avoid repeating the apostrophe s.
- compound possession rule
- The compound possession rule says the last noun gets the apostrophe.
- example of compound possession
- 'Tom and Anna's flat' is a clear example of compound possession.
- compound possession in English
- Compound possession in English is common with pairs of names.
Synonyms and how they differ
- joint possession
- Focuses on shared ownership rather than the grammatical marking; it is more common in legal writing.
- shared possessive
- A less technical, descriptive phrase; it is not the standard grammar term.
Word family
- possessive adjective
- Showing who owns something, as in 'possessive pronoun'.
- possession noun
- The state of owning or having something.
- possess verb
- To own or have something.
Commonly confused: compound possession or compound noun?
compound possession vs compound noun
A compound noun is a noun made of two words, like 'toothbrush'; compound possession is about shared possessive marking.
Practice
Which sentence correctly uses compound possession?
Choose one answer.
In compound possession the possessive ending usually goes on the last noun, so 'Sam and Alex's house' is correct. Option A suggests separate ownership, and C and D lack the needed possessive marker.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “compound possession”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.