Unsure about using apostrophes with plural nouns that already end in 's'—help needed!
I'm editing a report for school and I'm getting really confused about apostrophes with plural nouns, especially ones that already end in 's.' For example, I'm writing about several buses and their routes. Should I write "the buses' schedules" or "the buses's schedules"?
Similarly, if I'm talking about the projects belonging to several teachers, is it "the teachers' projects" or "the teachers's projects"? I'd really appreciate some help figuring out the correct way to show possession in these cases. Thanks!
Context:
American English, formal writing for high school
What to Know
| What to Know | Why It Matters | Example | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| When working with plural nouns that already end in 's' , show possession by simply adding an apostrophe after the final 's' —do not add an extra 's' after the apostrophe. | Self-edit tip: If the base noun is plural and ends in 's', just add an apostrophe right after—the word won't get another 's.'. | This wording is correct because it matches the intended meaning in context. | Does this wording match my intended meaning in this sentence? |
| Writers often memorize a definition but miss the context cue that controls the correct choice. | This helps you choose wording by meaning instead of surface form. | A different phrasing is better when the literal meaning would be clearer. | Did I choose this form for meaning, not because it looked familiar? |
3 Answers
When working with plural nouns that already end in 's', show possession by simply adding an apostrophe after the final 's'—do not add an extra 's' after the apostrophe.
Pattern:- For plurals ending in 's': [plural noun] + ' = possessive
- For singular nouns or irregular plurals not ending in 's': [noun] + 's = possessive
- The buses' schedules (multiple buses, schedules belonging to all)
- The teachers' lounge (shared by all teachers)
Contrast:
- The children's books (plural not ending in 's': add 's)
- The boss's office (singular noun, add 's regardless of final letter)
Try writing the possessive form for these:
- the cars of all the players
- the homework of the students
Self-edit tip: If the base noun is plural and ends in 's', just add an apostrophe right after—the word won't get another 's.'
Let’s compare plural and singular possession rules side by side for clarity.
Singular noun: Add 's for possession, even if the noun ends in 's'.
- The bus’s horn (horn of one bus)
- The class’s project (project of one class)
Plural noun ending in 's': Add only an apostrophe after the existing 's'.
- The buses’ route maps (routes of all buses)
- The teachers’ meeting (meeting for multiple teachers)
Practice suggestion:
Review your sentences: If the noun is plural and ends in 's', just add an apostrophe. If it's singular (even if ending in 's'), use 's.
Try transforming: “The offices of the managers” and “The recommendations of the judges” into possessive phrases.
You're right to notice that apostrophes with plurals ending in 's' can be confusing! Here’s how you can check yourself as you edit:
Correct construction: For regular plurals ending in 's', make them possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the 's':
- The employees’ suggestions (suggestions from multiple employees)
- The cats’ toys (toys belonging to several cats)
Common mistake: Don’t write "employees’s" or "cats’s" for plurals; reserve ‘s for singular nouns or irregular plurals:
- The child’s toy (one child)
- The children’s toys (plural, does not end in 's')
Quick practice:
Look at your own writing and underline the possessive plurals. If there’s an extra ‘s’ after the apostrophe, remove it. Try changing “the players’s uniforms” to its correct form.
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