Community’s or Communities’ or Communities? Which Is Correct!

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

Community's or Communities' or Communities

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Community’s or Communities’ or Communities: When it comes to understanding the correct usage of possessives in relation to the term “community,” confusion often arises between “Community’s,” “Communities’,” and “Communities.”

The key lies in knowing when each form is appropriate based on singular, plural, or plural possessive contexts.

Understanding these distinctions can significantly impact how you convey ownership within different community settings.

Table of Contents

Community’s or Communities’ or Communities:

The correct option depends on whether you’re referring to one community or multiple communities.

Here’s the breakdown:

Communities: This is the plural form of “community” and is used when referring to more than one community. For example, “Communities worldwide are addressing social issues through collective action.”

Community’s: This is the singular possessive form of “community.” It indicates ownership or association with a single community. For example, “The community’s watch program keeps us safe.”

Plural Form of Community:

The plural form of “community” is communities.

Here are some examples of how to use it in a sentence:

Many communities are working together to conserve water.
Online communities provide a platform for people with similar interests to connect.
The researchers studied the social dynamics of different communities.

Types of Community:

Communities can be classified in various ways, depending on the aspect we’re focusing on.

Here are some common types:

By Location:

Geographic Communities: Defined by a physical location, like rural communities, suburban communities , and urban communities.

By Identity:

Interest-Based Communities: People connected by shared interests or hobbies

Ethnic Communities: People who share a common ancestry or cultural heritage

By Need:

Social Support Communities: Provide emotional support and resources to members

Comm or Comms:

Abbreviation	Meaning	Usage	Example
Comm	Abbreviation of “communication”	Informal, singular	“Check your comm device for the mission briefing.”
Comms	Abbreviation of “communications”	Informal, plural	“The ship’s comms were down after the meteor shower.”

What Is the Possessive Form of Community?

The Possessive Form of “community” Depends on How You’re Using It in The Sentence.

There are two main options:

Add an apostrophe and “s” if “community” functions like a singular noun:

This is the most common scenario. When “community” refers to a single group, you can add an apostrophe and “s” to show possession.
Example: “The community’s garden is thriving this year.”

Use “of the community” if “community” is part of a longer phrase:

This applies when “community” describes another noun. Instead of making “community” possessive, you can use “of the” before it.
Example: “The concerns of the local community were addressed at the town hall meeting.”

Does Community Take a Singular or Plural Verb?

Community can take either a singular or plural verb, but there’s a preferred usage depending on what you want to emphasize:

Singular verb: This is the most common way to use “community” We think of it as a whole unit, even though it’s made up of individuals. So, you’d say: “The community is working together on this project.”
Plural verb: This is less common, but acceptable, especially in British English. It emphasizes the individual members of the community. Here’s an example: “The community are raising money for a new playground.”

What Is a Good Sentence for Community?

The best sentence for “community” depends on what you want to convey.

Here are a few options with different tones:

“The after-school program fostered a strong sense of community among the students.”
“The community is coming together to raise funds for a new library.”

“Living in a close-knit community provides a strong support system for families.”
“The park renovation project aims to revitalize the community center.”

Examples of Correct Usage for Community’s and Communities’

Possessive Form:

The community’s efforts to clean up the park were commendable.
I admire the community’s dedication to helping those in need.

Plural Possessive Form:

Both communities’ collaboration resulted in a successful event.
The initiatives of these two communities’ leaders are inspiring.

What Do You Call Communities?

Communities can be called many things, depending on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Here are some options:

By location: Neighborhood, village, town, city, region, country
By shared interest: Club, group, association, forum, network

By social connection: Tribe, circle, collective, fellowship
By purpose: Society, league, guild, coalition

There are also more specific terms depending on the kind of community:

Online community: Online forum, social media group, virtual world
Religious community: Congregation, parish, sangha
Intentional community: Commune, eco-village

How Are Communities Distinguished?

Communities can be distinguished by several key factors:

Geography: This is the most basic way to distinguish communities. People living in the same physical location, like a neighborhood, town, or city, naturally form a community due to shared proximity and potentially shared resources.
Shared interests: Communities can form around common interests, hobbies, or goals. These could be online communities focused on gaming or book clubs in real life.

Values and beliefs: Communities can be built around shared values, beliefs, or ideologies. Religious communities, political groups, or social justice movements are all examples.
Ethnicity or culture: Shared cultural heritage or ethnicity can be a strong foundation for a community. Chinatowns, online communities for specific ethnicities, or communities built around shared cultural traditions all fall under this category.
Purpose or function: Some communities are formed for a specific purpose, like volunteering or advocacy groups. These communities may be geographically dispersed but come together for a shared mission.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts!

When deciding whether to use “community’s,” “communities’,” or “communities” in the possessive form, it is essential to consider the context and intended meaning.

Remember that “community’s” indicates singular possession, referring to something belonging to one community.

On the other hand, “communities’” signifies plural possession, indicating ownership by multiple communities. Lastly, using “communities” without an apostrophe is appropriate when simply referring to more than one community without showing possession.

By understanding these distinctions and applying them correctly in your writing, you can ensure clarity and accuracy in conveying your message effectively while adhering to grammatical rules.

By consistently employing these principles within your writing, you can enhance readability and comprehension for your audience while showcasing a strong command of grammar rules.