Business, Business’s, and Businesses’: Which Is Correct?

Q: When Do I Use "business," "business's," and "businesses'"?

Business: Use this as the base noun when referring to a single company or organization. Business's: This is the singular possessive form used to indicate something owned or done by a single business.

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

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Business, Business’s, and Businesses’: and what are the differences. Confused about when to use “business,” “business’s,” or “businesses’”?

This article clarifies the distinctions between these terms and provides clear examples to help you understand their proper usage.

Whether you’re a student, professional, or just someone curious about grammar rules, we’ve got you covered with this easy-to-follow guide on when to use each form correctly in your writing.

Table of Contents

Is It Correct Business, Business’s, and Businesses’?

Yes it is right, there are different situations where “Business,” “Business’s,” and “Businesses’” are used.

Here’s the Breakdown:

Grammatically:

Business: This is the singular base form and refers to a single company or organization.
Business’s: This is the singular possessive form and indicates ownership by a single business. It follows the standard rule of adding an apostrophe but no additional “s” for singular possessives ending in “s.”

Businesses’: This is the plural possessive form and indicates ownership by multiple businesses. It adds both an apostrophe and an additional “s” to follow the regular plural possessive rule.

However, usage can vary:

Formal writing: Style guides like Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) and Associated Press Stylebook (AP Stylebook) prefer “business’” for singular possessives ending in “s” to maintain consistency.
Informal writing and everyday speech: Both “business’” and “businesses’” are commonly used, and most audiences understand both versions.

Business vs Business’s vs Businesses’:

Business

Refers to a commercial, industrial, or professional organization.

Used in singular form when talking about an individual company or entity.

Business’s

Shows possession for a singular business.
Example: “The business’s profits increased by 20%.”

Businesses’

Indicates possession for multiple businesses.
Example: “The businesses’ locations are spread across the city.”

How Do You Put an Apostrophe After Business?

To form the singular possessive of “business,” you should not add an apostrophe followed by another “s.” Instead, the correct way is to simply add an apostrophe: business’s.

This format follows the general rule for forming singular possessives of nouns ending in “s.” Adding an additional “s” would create the plural possessive form, which wouldn’t be accurate in this case.

Here are some examples of how to use the singular possessive form of “business”:

The business’s success is due to hard work.
We admire the business’s commitment to sustainability.
Did you read the business’s new marketing campaign?

While some people might still use “businesses’” out of habit or preference, the grammatically correct and preferred form according to most style guides is business’s.

Is Business Plural or Singular?

Whether “business” is considered plural or singular depends on the context in which it’s used. Here’s a breakdown:

Singular:

When referring to a single company or organization: “The business is closed today.”

As a singular possessive noun: “The business’s website is down.”

Plural:

When referring to multiple companies or organizations: “The government wants to support small businesses.”
As a plural possessive noun: “Businesses’ investments create jobs.”

Singular Possessive of Business:

When referring to the singular possessive of “business,” there are two options, each with its own pros and cons:

Business’s: This is the grammatically correct option according to most style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style and the Associated Press Stylebook . It follows the standard rule for singular possessives where apostrophe is added, but no additional “s” is used for nouns ending in “s.” However, this might seem inconsistent with other singular possessives like “dog’s” or “cat’s.”

Businesses’: This option is also commonly used and readily understood, especially in informal contexts. It adds both an apostrophe and an additional “s,” aligning with the regular plural possessive rule. However, it might appear less formal compared to the first option.

Here’s a table summarizing the differences:

Form	Example	Explanation	Usage
Business’s	The business’s success relies on innovation.	Follows formal style guides’ preference for singular possessives with “s” endings.	Formal writing, professional documents
Businesses’	Businesses’ growth contributes to the economy.	More prevalent in everyday language and accepted by some style guides.	Informal writing, everyday speech

Business or Businesses:

It could simply be a plural “business,” there are different interpretations depending on the intended usage:

Possessive:

It could be a possessive form, but there are two variations with different meanings:

Businesses’: Indicates something owned or done by multiple businesses. Example: “Businesses’ lobbying efforts influenced the new law.”
Business’s: Technically possible but less common, referring to something owned or done by a singular business whose name ends in “s.” Example: “The Jones’ Business’s new policy is controversial.”

Compound Noun:

In specific contexts, it could be a compound noun with a unique meaning depending on the specific field or industry. For example, “Business Business Consulting” might refer to a specific type of consulting service.

When to Use Each Form?

Business:

Singular form used when referring to a specific company or organization.

Example: “The business is expanding its operations.”

Business’s:

Possessive form used to indicate ownership or belonging of something by a business.
Example: “The business’s revenue increased by 10%.”

Businesses’:

Plural possessive form used when multiple businesses share ownership or possession of something.
Example: “Both businesses’ profits grew last quarter.”

Differences Between “business,” “business’s,” and “businesses”:

Feature	Business	Business’s	Businesses’
Function	Singular noun	Singular possessive noun	Plural possessive noun
Grammar	No apostrophe or “s”	Apostrophe, no additional “s”	Apostrophe and additional “s”
Formality	Standard, preferred by style guides	Formal, recommended by some style guides	Informal, commonly used
Meaning	Refers to a single company or organization	Indicates ownership by a single company or organization	Indicates ownership by multiple companies or organizations
Example	The business is thriving.	The business’s strategy is sound.	Businesses’ contributions boost the economy.
When to use	When referring to a single company	When referring to a single company’s possession	When referring to multiple companies’ possessions

Conclusion and Final Thoughts!

In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between “business,” “business’s,” and “businesses’” is crucial for effective communication.

Each form serves a specific purpose in conveying ownership or plurality within the context of writing. By using these terms accurately, you can ensure clarity and precision in your written content.

Remember to consider whether you are referring to a singular entity, possessive form, or multiple establishments when choosing among these variations.

Mastering the nuances of these terms will elevate the professionalism and accuracy of your writing while avoiding common grammar pitfalls associated with misusing them.

Overall, grasping the differences between “business,” “business’s,” and “businesses’” empowers writers to express ideas more effectively and adhere to grammatical conventions correctly.

FAQs

When Do I Use “business,” “business’s,” and “businesses’”?

Business: Use this as the base noun when referring to a single company or organization. Business’s: This is the singular possessive form used to indicate something owned or done by a single business.

Is “businesses’” Grammatically Correct?

Yes, both “business’” and “businesses’” are technically correct options. “business’” is preferred by most style guides for consistency with other singular possessives of nouns ending in “s.”

When Should I Use the Formal Option vs. The Informal Option?

Use “business’” in professional writing, academic papers, and situations requiring strict adherence to style guides.

Are There Any Other Options for The Singular Possessive of “business”?

Although not recommended by most style guides, some people still use “business’s” with an additional “s” as the singular possessive. However, this is not considered the grammatically correct form.

How Can I Avoid Confusion when Using These Terms?

Consider the context and formality of your writing. Be consistent in your usage throughout a piece of writing. If unsure, consult a style guide or dictionary for specific recommendations.