His, hers, and theirs
Which sentences are correct?
- We’re celebrating Mom and Dad’s anniversary tonight.
- We’re celebrating Mom’s and Dad’s anniversary tonight.
- Mom and Dad’s opinions differ on almost everything.
- Mom’s and Dad’s opinions differ on almost everything.
- We’re celebrating Brian and my anniversary tonight.
- We’re celebrating Brian’s and my anniversary tonight.
- Brian and my opinions differ on almost everything.
- Brian’s and my opinions differ on almost everything.
The correct sentences are A, D, F, and H.
Why?
A single apostrophe + s at the end of the last possessor indicates joint ownership. For example, “Mom and Dad’s anniversary” describes a shared anniversary.
An apostrophe + s at the end of each possessor signifies individual ownership of separate items. For example, “Mom’s and Dad’s opinions” describes individual opinions.
When the last possessor is a possessive determiner (my, your, his, her, their), the preceding noun or nouns take/s an apostrophe + s regardless of whether possession is shared or individual. In such cases, the singular or plural form of the possessed noun at the end of the phrase typically determines joint or separate ownership, respectively. For example, the singular “Brian’s and my anniversary” describes a shared event. In contrast, the plural “Brian’s and my opinions” describes separate thoughts.
What’s the difference between these sentences?
- Mike and Carol’s children are coming to the barbecue.
- Mike’s and Carol’s children are coming to the barbecue.
In sentence I, Mike and Carol share the same children. In sentence J, Mike and Carol are the parents of different children. The distinction is clear.
But in “Brian’s and my children,” the meaning is ambiguous. Do I mean that we share children or have different children? In this instance, rewriting is required to clarify the intention. For example, “Brian and I have three children together.” Or “Brian and I share three children.” In contrast, “Brian and I each have three children” refers to a total of six children. “Brian’s children and my children” also clearly describes separate children.
Pay attention to the s’s. A single apostrophe + s at the end of the last possessor indicates joint ownership. An apostrophe + s at the end of each possessor indicates separate ownership. When a possessive determiner (e.g., my) is the final possessor, add an apostrophe + s to all preceding nouns, regardless of shared or separate ownership. In these cases, the singular or plural form of the possessed noun points to joint or individual ownership, respectively. If it’s still hard to tell, rewrite the sentence for clarity.
A Further Challenge
Now try this: Which sentence is correct?
- My mom and dad’s DNA was analyzed.
- My mom and dad’s DNA were analyzed.
- My mom’s and dad’s DNA was analyzed.
- My mom’s and dad’s DNA were analyzed.
- My mom’s and my dad’s DNA was analyzed.
- My mom’s and my dad’s DNA were analyzed.
Sentence P is correct. It is the most grammatically precise. There is no room for ambiguity in sentence P.
Why?
My mom and my dad each have their own DNA. They share no DNA. But the single apostrophe + s signifies joint ownership in sentences K and L. The shared determiner of the possessors in these sentences (i.e., My) also indicates joint ownership. In sentence K, the singular form of the verb, was, means that my parents jointly own one set of chromosomes. In sentence L, the plural form of the verb, were, means that my parents share their two sets of chromosomes. Neither of these options is true.
In sentences M and N, each possessor has an apostrophe + s, but they still share a determiner. Although sentence N may seem like the correct choice, with the proper plural form of the verb, because both possessors have an apostrophe + s, each also requires its own determiner.
In the final pair, each possessor has an apostrophe + s and its own determiner, clearly identifying individual possession. But in sentence O, “DNA” is treated as singular, as shown by the verb was that follows. In sentence P, “DNA” is treated as plural, as shown by the verb were that follows. Because there are two samples of DNA, the plural form of the verb, in sentence P, is correct.
