Posessive vs. Possessive — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 28, 2024
"Posessive" is a misspelling. The correct spelling is "Possessive," which denotes ownership or relation.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Posessive or Possessive
How to spell Possessive?
Posessive
Incorrect Spelling
Possessive
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Relate "Possessive" to its meaning of ownership; it 'owns' two sets of 'ss'.
Recall that to possess something means you own it, and "Possessive" has the full word "possess" in it.
Remember there are two 's' pairs in "Possessive."
Associate the word with "possession," which also has double 's' pairs.
Think of "Possessive" as a word that possesses an extra 's'.
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How Do You Spell Possessive Correctly?
Incorrect: His posessive attitude made her uncomfortable.
Correct: His possessive attitude made her uncomfortable.
Incorrect: She didn't like the posessive way he acted around her friends.
Correct: She didn't like the possessive way he acted around her friends.
Incorrect: The posessive form of the noun is used to show ownership.
Correct: The possessive form of the noun is used to show ownership.
Incorrect: The dog's posessive behavior towards its toys was amusing.
Correct: The dog's possessive behavior towards its toys was amusing.
Incorrect: Her posessive nature strained many of her relationships.
Correct: Her possessive nature strained many of her relationships.
Possessive Definitions
Grammatically indicating possession.
The word John's is a possessive form.
Jealously opposed to the personal independence of, or to any influence other than one's own upon, a child, spouse, etc.
She was overly possessive of her boyfriend.
Relating to or denoting ownership or possession.
This is my possessive right.
Indicative of a strong desire to control or dominate something or someone.
He has a possessive nature.
Having or manifesting a desire to control or dominate another, especially in order to limit that person's relationships with others.
A possessive mother might not want her child to play with others.
Of or relating to ownership or possession.
Having or manifesting a desire to control or dominate another, especially in order to limit that person's relationships with others
A possessive parent.
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a noun or pronoun case that indicates possession.
The possessive case.
A possessive form or construction.
Of or pertaining to ownership or possession.
(grammar) Indicating ownership, possession, origin, etc.
Unwilling to yield possession of.
He is very possessive of his car.
(grammar) The possessive case.
(grammar) A word used to indicate the possessive case.
Of or pertaining to possession; having or indicating possession.
A possessive pronoun, or a word in the possessive case.
Serving to express or indicate possession;
Possessive pronouns
The genitive endings
Desirous of owning;
Small children are so possessive they will not let others play with their toys
Having or showing a desire to control or dominate;
A possessive parent
Possessive Meaning in a Sentence
He has a possessive streak when it comes to his books.
The teacher explained how to use the possessive form of nouns.
A possessive pronoun is used to show ownership, like "mine" or "yours."
The child's possessive attachment to her blanket is strong.
Dogs can sometimes exhibit possessive tendencies over their food.
Learning to distinguish between possessive nouns and plural nouns is important.
The possessive 's' shows a relationship between two things.
In English, adding an apostrophe and an 's' can indicate possessive case.
Her possessive behavior became more apparent when they started dating.
His possessive need for control was the main issue in their relationship.
The possessive case is also used for temporal expressions, like "a day's wait."
The possessive form of "it" is "its," without an apostrophe.
Using possessive adjectives correctly improves your writing.
She did not appreciate his possessive demands on her time.
A possessive relationship can be harmful to both parties involved.
A possessive noun can be singular or plural.
It's crucial to respect boundaries and avoid possessive behaviors in friendships.
Jealousy can often lead to possessive actions.
The novel explores themes of love, control, and possessive passion.
Common Curiosities
What is the root word of Possessive?
The root word is "possess."
Why is it called Possessive?
It's derived from the verb "possess," meaning to own or control, and denotes a relationship of ownership or possession.
Which preposition is used with Possessive?
"Of," as in "the possessive form of the noun."
What is the plural form of Possessive?
"Possessives."
Which article is used with Possessive?
"the" or "a."
What is the verb form of Possessive?
The verb form is "possess."
What is the pronunciation of Possessive?
It's pronounced as /pəˈzɛsɪv/.
Which vowel is used before Possessive?
The vowel "a" can be used, as in "a possessive noun."
Which conjunction is used with Possessive?
It can be used with any conjunction, such as "and" or "but."
Is Possessive a noun or adjective?
It can be both, but it's most commonly used as an adjective.
Is Possessive a countable noun?
As an adjective, it's not countable. As a noun, it can be countable, e.g., "different possessives."
What is the singular form of Possessive?
"Possessive" is singular.
Is Possessive a collective noun?
No.
What is another term for Possessive?
"Ownership."
Is Possessive an abstract noun?
No.
Is Possessive a vowel or consonant?
"Possessive" is a word, not a letter classification.
Is the Possessive term a metaphor?
No.
Is the word Possessive imperative?
No.
Is the word “Possessive” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can function as either, depending on the context.
Is Possessive a negative or positive word?
It's neutral but can have negative connotations based on context.
Is the word Possessive a Gerund?
No.
How do we divide Possessive into syllables?
Po-sess-ive.
What part of speech is Possessive?
Adjective or noun, depending on the context.
What is the opposite of Possessive?
"Non-possessive."
Is Possessive an adverb?
No.
How many syllables are in Possessive?
Four.
What is a stressed syllable in Possessive?
The second syllable, "sess," is stressed.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
