When you hear or see the words “people’s” and “peoples’,” you might wonder if they mean the same thing. Even though these words look very similar, they have different meanings based on whether they are singular or plural. Let’s break it down simply so you can understand when to use each one!
What Does Possessive Mean?
Possessive means that something belongs to someone or something. In grammar, possessives show who owns or has something. This is often formed by adding an apostrophe (‘), and sometimes an “s” after the noun.
For example:
- The cat’s toy (The toy belongs to the cat)
- Tom’s book (The book belongs to Tom)
We will focus on how to use possessives with “people” and “peoples.”
Singular Possessive: People’s
Let’s start with “people’s”. This is used when talking about something that belongs to one group of people.
For example:
- The people’s decision (This means the decision that the group of people made.)
- The people’s voices (This refers to the voices of the group of people.)
Even though the word “people” refers to a group of people, it is considered singular when you talk about one group. That’s why you say “people’s”.
Table for Singular Possessive of “People”
| Singular Possessive Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| People’s | Belonging to one group of people | The people’s opinion is important. |
Plural Possessive: Peoples’
What about “peoples’”? This is used when talking about something that belongs to many different groups of people. The word “peoples” here refers to different groups or nations of people.
For example:
- The peoples’ cultures (This means the cultures of different groups or nations of people.)
- The peoples’ languages (This refers to the languages spoken by different groups of people.)
Table for Plural Possessive of “Peoples”
| Plural Possessive Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Peoples’ | Belonging to multiple groups of people | The peoples’ rights were protected. |
Understanding the Differences
Now that we know the difference between “people’s” and “peoples’”, let’s quickly go over their meanings:
- People’s: Refers to one group of people. Use it when talking about something that belongs to a single group.
- Example: The people’s house is big (The house belongs to a group of people.)
- Peoples’: Refers to many groups of people. Use it when talking about something that belongs to several groups or nations.
- Example: The peoples’ traditions are unique (The traditions of different groups of people are unique.)
Examples to Help You Remember
When to Use People’s:
- The people’s opinion is valuable.
- The people’s happiness is important to us.
When to Use Peoples’:
- The peoples’ history is rich and diverse.
- The peoples’ rights must be respected everywhere.
Summary
So, the next time you are unsure whether to use people’s or peoples’, remember this:
- Use people’s when you are talking about something belonging to one group of people.
- Use peoples’ when referring to something that belongs to many different groups of people.
