Possessive ’s with Time Expressions
Learn how to use the possessive 's with time expressions.
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In English, we can use the possessive ’s (or just an apostrophe ’ after a plural s) with time expressions to talk about duration or a specific time in the future.
Singular Time Expressions
When talking about a singular unit of time (one hour, one week, a month, a year), we add ’s to the time word.
- It’s an hour’s drive to the airport.
- I need a week’s notice before you take time off.
Plural Time Expressions
When the time expression is plural (two hours, three weeks, ten years), the word already ends in s. In this case, we just add an apostrophe (’) after the s.
- The hike was a two hours’ walk.
- She has three weeks’ vacation.
Meaning and Usage
We use this structure to express:
- Duration: How long something takes.
- A day’s journey, five minutes’ wait.
- Future time: When something will happen.
- In a month’s time, in two years’ time.
Here is a common word you might use in professional contexts: notice.
Another useful expression when making plans is to factor in the journey.
Notice that we say “a three-week vacation” (using a compound adjective, singular) OR “three weeks’ vacation” (using the possessive with time). Both are correct, but “a three weeks’ vacation” is incorrect.
Do not confuse the possessive with time expressions and plural nouns without possession. “Two hours delay” is incorrect. It must be “a two-hour delay” or “two hours’ delay”.
Possessive with Time Expressions
- Singular: Add ’s (e.g., a day’s work, a moment’s hesitation).
- Plural: Add ‘ after the s (e.g., two days’ work, five minutes’ break).
- Common phrases: in a year’s time, today’s newspaper, yesterday’s news.
- Alternative structure: Hyphenated adjectives (e.g., a two-hour walk instead of two hours’ walk).