Did I write the possessive right here?

Question

Sam's and Michael's bodies were thrown into the pond.

or should it be Sam and Michael's bodies?

What if 'bodies' was replaced by 'toy' and the toy belonged to both of them. How would the possessive form look?

Thank you, teachers!

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

In this particular case, I think the reader would assume 2 bodies with any form (unless Sam and Michael were Siamese twins).

Sam and Michael's toy-- they share the single toy.

Sam's and Michael's toy-- they each have their own single toy, so there are 2 toys.

Sam and Michael's toys -- they share the toys.
Sam's and Michael's toys-- they each have their own toy(s)

Goronsky · Answer

AnonymousSam's and Michael's bodies were thrown into the pond. or should it be Sam and Michael's bodies?What if 'bodies' was replaced by 'toy' and the toy belonged to both of them. How would the possessive form look?Thank you, teachers!

The possessive form goes to both -- as you have done -- if you're referring to two separate bodies, those of Sam and of Michael.

If the toys belonged to both of them, just add the possessive to the second of the two names mentioned -- in this case, 'Michael.'

Sam and Michael's toys were thrown into the pond. (Joint ownership -- both 'Sam' and 'Michael' own the same toys.)

Sam's and Michael's toys were thrown into the pond. (The toys owned by 'Sam' and the toys owned by 'Michael' were thrown into the pond; they do not jointly own these toys.)

~Goronsky~

Did I write the possessive right here?

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