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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Apostrophes and ending 'ies' versus 's'

Hello I'm struggling with the use of apostrophes and the ending s versus ies.

The bodies ability to repair and regenerate

Would this be bodies, bodys, body's, bodies' or bodys'?

I don't understand. I know when to use them is there is a missing letter, i.e do not=don't etc...but can't grasp the above.

Thanks
  

Top answer

The 's indicates possession, not missing letters: A doctor's office Two doctors' offices. There is one body , and that body's ability to regenerate... There are two bodies , and those bodies' ability to regenerate.

— Mister Micawber

  • The 's indicates possession, not missing letters: A doctor's office Two doctors' offices.
  • There is one body , and that body's ability to regenerate...
  • There are two bodies , and those bodies' ability to regenerate.
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8 Answers
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The 's indicates possession, not missing letters:

A doctor's office
Two doctors' offices.

There is one body, and that body's ability to regenerate...
There are two bodies, and those bodies' ability to regenerate...
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I know there isn't a missing letter. I was saying that I know when to use apostrophes if there is a missing letter. However, I don't know how to use them regarding possession.



In this case, the body’s ability, is ability a possession? If not should it not be bodys?



Also, how do we know whether it is singular or plural?

The body, i.e. the human bod
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Bodys is not a word. I have already supplied you with all of the possible options and their uses-- singular noun, singular possessive, plural noun and plural possessive:
There is one body, and that body's ability to regenerate...
There are two bodies, and those bodies' ability to regenerate...
The body
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Hi thanks for the help, but you never answered my question,

Is the body's ability a possession?

The body's heart is a possession

The body's cells are a possession

But is the body's ability a possession?
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It cannot be called a "possession" but you DO use the possessive. My ability to learn quickly is an asset. The body's ability to fight off disease is... John's ability to always see the humor in things is a blessing.
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If the body is singular, then it should be body's.

If the body is plural, then it should be bodys'.
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Anonymous
If the body is singular, then it should be body's.

If the body is plural, then it should be bodys'.

No, Anon. Please see Mr. Micawber's post, which he repeated above.

One body. Two bodies. There is no word "bodys" to mean plural body.
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