ass's

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "ass's" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession related to an ass (donkey) in a humorous or informal context. Example: "The ass's bray echoed through the valley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

In the first, a brutish-looking fully flayed man is clearly Samson, as he's wielding an ass's jawbone.

The Guardian - Travel

"But it's when she falls for Oliver Chris's transformed Bottom," says Benedict Nightingale in the Times, "that Dench is at her hilarious best: stroking his ass's head, rapturously murmuring 'I love thee', and looking as enchanted as if she's personally sunk the entire Spanish Armada".

The Guardian

Pan's phrasing is crude: his supporter grows ass's ears.

The New York Times - Books

The ass's ears suppress some promised spillage from a wig.

Independent

After first refusing him water, the snake then offered to trade it for the contents of the ass's load.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I certainly remember a member of more than average size, but was it the Woodman's or the ass's?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

How about Kim Kardashian's ass?" Let's talk about that for an hour or two".

Huffington Post

There's a wit and profundity skimmed off Bust-Ass's mug of poor grammar.

Vice

And how about Kick-Ass's Hit Girl or Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon's Michelle Yeoh?

Independent

Moretz returns as purple-tressed, pint-sized killer Hit Girl, with Britain's Aaron Talsor-Johnstepping stepping back into Kick-Ass's distinctive homemade costume.

The Guardian - Film

Kick-Ass's Chloë Grace Moretz stars as a girl trying to save her younger brother in an alien-ravaged, post-apocalyptic future drawn from Rick Yancey's novel series.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ass's" to refer to a character in literature (e.g., Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream), ensure the context is clear and appropriate for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "ass's" when you mean "asses", which is the plural form of "ass". "Ass's" indicates possession (e.g., "the ass's ears"), while "asses" refers to multiple donkeys (e.g., "a herd of asses").

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ass's" is to indicate possession or association with the noun "ass". Ludwig indicates this is grammatically correct. Examples include phrases like "ass's head" or "ass's ears".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ass's" is grammatically correct and functions to indicate possession or association with the noun "ass". However, as Ludwig confirms, its use is context-dependent, as "ass" can be considered offensive or informal. While prevalent in News & Media and encyclopedic sources, it's less common in formal or scientific writing. When in doubt, consider using a more neutral alternative like "donkey's" or rephrasing to avoid the possessive altogether. Be mindful of your audience and the potential for misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

donkey's

A more common and less potentially offensive synonym for indicating possession by a donkey.

burro's

Uses a different term for a donkey, offering a regional variation.

of the ass

A simple prepositional phrase indicating origin or association with an ass.

belonging to the ass

A more formal and descriptive way to indicate that something belongs to an ass.

the wild ass's

Specifies a particular type of ass, potentially altering the context.

the ass' property

A more emphatic way of stating ownership by the ass.

the ass' possession

Similar to 'the ass' property', emphasizing ownership or control.

related to the ass

A broader term indicating a connection or association without necessarily implying ownership.

associated with the ass

Similar to 'related to the ass', emphasizing a link or connection.

pertaining to the ass

A more formal way to indicate relevance or connection to an ass.

FAQs

How can I use "ass's" in a sentence?

"Ass's" shows possession. For example, you might say, "The "ass's bray" echoed through the valley" or refer to "the "ass's head"" in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Is it acceptable to use "ass's" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "ass's" may be too informal or offensive for formal writing. Consider alternatives like "donkey's" or rephrasing to avoid the possessive form altogether.

What's the difference between "ass's" and "asses"?

"Ass's" is the possessive form, indicating ownership or association (e.g., "the "ass's load""). "Asses" is the plural form, referring to multiple donkeys.

Which is a more polite alternative to "ass's"?

If you're concerned about being offensive, use "donkey's" instead. For instance, say "the "donkey's ears"" rather than "the ass's ears".