Genitive Case Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.3-4.a

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

In the English language the genitive case is used to show or project a sense of ownership. This term is much more related to languages other than English. In English it will often be referred to as the possessive case. It can also be used to display a source of something and in some cases a trait or characteristic. It can be used to display possession in an adjective dependent noun or a basic noun or pronoun. The genitive is expressed in writing by adding an apostrophe proceeded by the letter "s". This always language to be much more fluid. This often a difficult section for non-native speakers, it will require a good deal of practice. After the nominative case, which determines the case of nouns and pronouns, this is the second most used case. These worksheets will help students identify and effectively use the genitive case in their own sentences as well as correct the writing of others.

Genitive Case Worksheets:

Forming Ownership - Form the genitive case for each noun pair. Write it on the line. It helps if you sound out a sentence it might fit into.

Understanding Phrases - Read each pair of phrases. They are all correct, but mean every different things. Write the meaning of each phrase below it.

Periods of Time - Form the 's genitive case for each noun pair expressing a measurement of time.

Understanding Geography - Form the of form of the proper case for each noun pair expressing a geographical relationship.

Using the Genitive - You will need to write complete thoughts and make sure you place the apostrophe properly.

What Goes There? - Complete the sentences using the word in parentheses. You will need to shift your thoughts here.

The Possessive - Write two sentences. For the first, use the genitive. For the second, use a possessive pronoun.

Sentence Writing - Write sentences using what you are given and you may need to reorder a few of these things..

What Apostrophe? - Form the genitive case for each noun pair. Write it on the line. It is all about placement within the sentence.

Of Form - Write four sentences using the "of" form. You can even work off of the examples that are given.

More Puncuation - Write the proper form on the line. Just take your time and you will find it.

Packed Parentheses - Complete the series of sentences by using word in parentheses. You will obviously need to make an adjustment to those words.

Forming - Show your own form of possession. There are a number of ways you can explore them.

Possessive Pronouns - We compare the use between our favorite word and a possessive pronoun.

Correct It! - Is this all correct or is there a problem? You be the judge.

What is the Genitive Case?


The Genitive cases are the part of grammatical cases of English language. It is used for noun, pronoun, or an adjective that elaborates and modifies the other noun in the sentence. The most common purpose of the genitive case is to show possession. It is sometimes used to show the source of a thing. It can also be used to show the trait or characteristic of something.

For example,

She lost her puppy.
Genitive Case: Her
Possessed Noun: Puppy

They left their house
Genitive Case: Their
Possessed Noun: House

She threw her books.
Genitive Case: her
Possessed Noun: Books

I borrowed Sam's Car
Genitive Case: Sam's
Possessed Noun: Car

He wore Tressa's T-shirt.
Genitive Case: Teressa
Possessed Noun: T-shirt

The color of my new dress is pink.
Genitive Case: my
Possessed noun: dress


Difference Between Genitive Case and Possessive Case


The possessive case and the genitive case sound very similar. They have so much in common that it is easy to confuse them both as one. However, they do have a slight difference that sets them apart. The possessive case is always used to show possession and ownership of the noun whereas the genitive case is not always used for the same purpose. For example,

The Women's clothing section is upstairs.
In this example, the clothing is not possessed by the women. It is not showing ownership. The clothing does not belong to women. It is rather inflicting on the fact that the clothing line is for women.

Ashley's toys were broken.
This is an example of both the possessive case and the genitive case. It is clearly showing possession and ownership.


When Does the Apostrophe Come After The "s"?


The placement of apostrophe This confuses most students when the first see it and then again when they see it while actively reading. This is much less common in reading and to be honest, most students do not even realize the significance of that placement. This apostrophe placement occurs when we are demonstrating plural possession. For example, in the singular we would say: The boy's bookbag. If we were to add more boys and make the number of bookbags increase, we would need to use the plural form and the sentence would read like this: The four boys' bookbags. This is also applied to proper names when demonstrating plural possession.