Which sentence shows correct possessive punctuation for a plural possessive noun?

Which sentence shows correct possessive punctuation for a plural possessive noun?

• A. The teachers' desk was neat.
• B. The teacher's desk was neat.
• C. The teachers desk was neat.
• D. The teacher desk was neat.

Answer: (A)

When a plural noun that ends in s shows ownership, you form the possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the s. The phrase with teachers' desk indicates ownership by multiple teachers of a single desk, which is exactly plural possession. If there were only one teacher, you would use the singular possessive teacher's desk. Omitting the apostrophe or using the singular form with a plural noun changes or loses the possessive meaning, as in teachers desk or teacher desk. So the form with the apostrophe after the s correctly expresses plural possession.

When a plural noun that ends in s shows ownership, you form the possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the s. The phrase with teachers' desk indicates ownership by multiple teachers of a single desk, which is exactly plural possession. If there were only one teacher, you would use the singular possessive teacher's desk. Omitting the apostrophe or using the singular form with a plural noun changes or loses the possessive meaning, as in teachers desk or teacher desk. So the form with the apostrophe after the s correctly expresses plural possession.