When writing about heroes or something that belongs to them, it can be confusing to know how to use words like hero’s and heroes’. Is it singular or plural? Should the apostrophe be inside or outside the word? In this article, we will help you understand the difference between Hero’s, Heroes’, and Heroes with easy-to-understand explanations.
What is a Possessive Form?
First, let’s take a quick look at what “possessive” means. In grammar, the possessive form shows ownership. If something belongs to someone, we use the possessive form of the noun.
Example:
- “That is Bob’s book.” (Bob owns the book.)
In this case, we add an apostrophe and an “s” after Bob to show that the book belongs to him.
Hero’s – The Singular Possessive Form
When we are talking about one hero and something that belongs to them, we use hero’s with an apostrophe and an “s”. This shows possession by a single hero.
Example Sentences:
- The hero’s cape was blue. (This means the cape belongs to the hero.)
- I saw the hero’s victory. (The victory belongs to the hero.)
So, hero’s shows that something belongs to one hero.
Table 1: Hero’s – Singular Possessive Form
| Singular | Possessive |
|---|---|
| Hero | Hero’s |
Heroes’ – The Plural Possessive Form
Now, what if you are talking about more than one hero? In that case, we use heroes’ (with just an apostrophe after the “s”).
Example Sentences:
- The heroes’ mission was successful. (The mission belongs to the heroes.)
- The heroes’ teamwork was amazing. (The teamwork belongs to the heroes.)
Table 2: Heroes’ – Plural Possessive Form
| Plural | Possessive |
|---|---|
| Heroes | Heroes’ |
This is used when you are talking about a group of heroes and something that belongs to them.
Heroes – Plural Form
When talking about more than one hero without showing ownership or possession, we simply use the plural form heroes.
Example Sentences:
- The heroes arrived just in time.
- We saw many heroes on the battlefield.
The word heroes is just the plural of hero. There is no apostrophe in this form since we’re not showing possession.
Table 3: Heroes – Plural Form
| Plural |
|---|
| Heroes |
Quick Summary of Hero’s, Heroes’ and Heroes
Here is a simple chart to help you understand the three forms:
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hero’s | Possession of one hero | The hero’s shield is strong. |
| Heroes’ | Possession of many heroes | The heroes’ strategy was perfect. |
| Heroes | Refers to multiple heroes | The heroes fought bravely. |
Key Differences Between Hero’s, Heroes’ and Heroes
- Hero’s = Belongs to one hero.
- Heroes’ = Belongs to multiple heroes.
- Heroes = Just the plural form of hero (no possession).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hero’s is not used when talking about multiple heroes. That would be incorrect! Instead, use heroes (without the apostrophe) when talking about a group of heroes.
- Heroes’s (with an extra “s”) is also incorrect. For plural possessive, the apostrophe goes after the “s” (heroes’).
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between hero’s, heroes’, and heroes is important for clear and correct writing. If you’re referring to one hero, use hero’s for possession. For many heroes, use heroes’ to show possession, and for just the heroes (no possession), stick with heroes.
By remembering these simple rules, you will be able to easily use these words and keep your writing clear for everyone to understand.
