Possessive ’s, Plural S, and Family Vocabulary for Beginner ESL Learners

Learn to use possessive ’s, plural s, and family vocabulary in English. Free ESL worksheets, tips, and practice for beginners!

---

Use Google Translate

Affiliate Disclosure

Guess what? When you click and buy through our links, you’re doing more than improving your English. You’re supporting us in a way that doesn’t cost you extra but helps us keep bringing you the best lessons and tips. It’s a win-win!

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Why Family Vocabulary and Possessives Matter
• Essential Family Words for Beginners
• Plural S, Possessive ’s, and Contracted ’s: What’s the Difference?
• Sample Worksheet: Family & Possessives Practice
• Speaking and Writing Practice
• Download the Complete Lesson Pack
• Final Thoughts

Introduction

Learning how to talk about your family in English is an essential skill for everyday life. For beginner ESL students, understanding how to use family words and the different forms of “s” in English—plural s, possessive ’s, and contracted ’s—can make a huge difference in speaking and writing clearly. This lesson will give you easy-to-follow grammar tips, practice activities, and worksheet samples you can use right away.

Why Do Family Vocabulary and Possessives Matter?

Talking about family is one of the first steps in real conversation—introducing people, describing relationships, and sharing your story. Plus, knowing how to use “s” correctly avoids confusion and helps you sound more natural in English.

Essential Family Words for Beginners

Word	Example
Mother	Her mother is a nurse.
Father	My father’s name is Ken.
Sister	Anna’s sister is Maria.
Brother	His brother is Ben.
Grandmother	Our grandmother is Rosa.
Grandfather	Their grandfather is Carlos.
Aunt	Linda’s aunt is Marta.
Uncle	Sam is Ken’s uncle.
Cousin	Anna is my cousin.
Parents	My parents are teachers.
Children	Their children are friends.

Plural S, Possessive ’s, and Contracted ’s: What’s the Difference?

Type	Example	Meaning/Use
Plural S	My brothers are tall.	More than one brother
Possessive ’s	Linda’s book is new.	The book belongs to Linda
Contracted ’s	She’s my aunt.	She is my aunt (“is” short)

Sample Worksheet: Family & Possessives Practice

Try these sample questions:

1. Rufus is Alfredo’s __________.
2. My __________ are from Mexico.
3. Connor’s __________ is Matt.
4. Rosa’s __________ is Matt.
5. They’re my __________.

Want more practice?
Download the full worksheet pack and answer key here!
(Includes printable worksheets, speaking prompts, and more!)

Speaking and Writing Practice

Speaking Prompts:

• Who is Olivia’s cousin?
• Are Sebastian and Olivia siblings?
• Who is Karin’s husband?

Writing Challenge:
Write three sentences about your family using:

• Plural S (e.g., I have two brothers.)
• Possessive ’s (e.g., My sister’s name is Anna.)
• Contracted ’s (e.g., He’s my uncle.)

Download the Complete Lesson Pack

Looking for more activities?
Get the full “Family & Possessives” Beginner Lesson on TPT!
Printable worksheets, answer keys, family tree, speaking cards, and classroom-ready resources.

Want even more English practice?

• Practice with real tutors and conversation partners on italki!
• Learn English at your own pace with Rocket Languages.

Final Thoughts

Learning family vocabulary and using “s” correctly in English will help you in conversations, writing, and everyday life. Practice with the sample activities above, and check out the full lesson pack if you want more. Got questions or want to share your progress? Leave a comment below or connect with me on Facebook!