Student’s or Students’ or Students? (Correct Possessive Form!)

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

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Student’s or Students’ or Students: When determining the correct possessive form for “Student’s or Students’ or Students,” it is crucial to understand the rules that govern possessives in English.

The confusion often arises due to the plural form of “students.” To clarify, if you are referring to something belonging to one student, use “student’s”; if it belongs to multiple students, then use “students’.”

Understanding the nuances between “student’s” and “students’” when indicating possession can significantly impact the clarity of your writing.

Table of Contents

Student’s or Students’ or Students:

The correct possessive form depends on whether you’re referring to one student or multiple students:

Students’ – This is the plural possessive form. Use this when referring to something that belongs to more than one student.

Example: “The students’ backpacks were piled high in the hallway.” (Here, “backpacks” belong to multiple students)

Student’s – This is the singular possessive form. Use this when referring to something that belongs to just one student.

Example: “The student’s homework was neatly organized in a binder.” (Here, “homework” belongs to a single student)

Student’s vs Students:

Feature	Student’s	Students’
Number of Students	Singular	Plural
Possessive Form	Yes	Yes
Ownership	Indicates something belonging to one student	Indicates something belonging to more than one student
Example	The student’s locker was overflowing with books.	The students’ laughter filled the classroom.

Students Meaning Apostrophe:

In the word “students,” the apostrophe isn’t actually used. Apostrophes are used to indicate possession in most cases, but “students” itself is simply the plural form of “student.”

Here’s a breakdown:

Students: This is the plural of “student.” It refers to more than one student and doesn’t require an apostrophe for possession.

Students’: This is the possessive form, indicating something that belongs to multiple students. Here, the apostrophe is used correctly after the “s” at the end of “students.” (e.g., Students’ lockers)

Students Plural Possessive:

The plural possessive form of “student” is students’.

Here’s how it works:

“Students” is the plural form of “student,” simply indicating more than one student.
To show ownership by multiple students, we add an apostrophe after the “s” at the end of “students.” This creates the possessive form “students’”.

Students Grammar:

Here’s a breakdown of “students” from a grammar perspective:

Part of Speech:

Noun: “Students” is a common noun referring to people who are enrolled in a course of study, typically at a school or university.

Number:

Plural: “Students” is the plural form of “student.” It indicates more than one student.

Possessive Form:

Students’: To show ownership by multiple students, we use the possessive form “students’.” Here, the apostrophe comes after the “s” at the end of the plural noun “students.”

The Students’ Is Correct:

You are absolutely correct! “The students’” is the correct way to show that something belongs to more than one student. It’s the plural possessive form of “student.”

Which Is Correct Student’s Name or Student Name?

Both “Student’s Name” and “Student Name” can be grammatically correct, depending on the context:

Student’s Name: This is the grammatically correct choice if you’re referring to the name of a single student. It uses the apostrophe and “s” to show possession.

Example: “Please write your student’s name and ID number on the permission slip.” (One student’s name is needed)

Student Name: This is a simpler option that can also be correct, especially when referring to a heading, title, or category that applies to multiple students.

Example: “The list included Student Names, Contact Information, and Grade Levels.” (This refers to the names of all students, not a single student’s name)

Do You Put an Apostrophe After the S in Students?

No, you don’t put an apostrophe after the “s” in “students” itself. “Students” is simply the plural form of “student” and doesn’t require an apostrophe to indicate possession.

The apostrophe comes into play when you want to show ownership by multiple students. Here’s the breakdown:

Students: This refers to more than one student (plural noun).

Students’: This is the possessive form, indicating something that belongs to multiple students. The apostrophe is added after the “s” at the end of “students.”

Why Are Students Called Students?

The word “student” comes from the Latin word “studens,” which is the present participle of the verb “studere.”

Here’s a breakdown of the origin and evolution:

Latin Root: “Studere” in Latin means “to be eager or zealous” and “to apply oneself to learning.”
Present Participle: The present participle is a verb form that indicates an ongoing action or state. In Latin, “-ens” is a common ending for present participles.
Evolution to English: Through historical sound changes and borrowing, “studens” eventually evolved into the Middle English word “student” by the 16th century.

Who are called students?

Students are people who are formally engaged in learning, typically at a school or other educational institution.

Here’s a breakdown of who falls under this category:

Formal Education: This is the most common context. Students can be of any age, from children in elementary school to adults pursuing higher education in colleges and universities.

Enrolled Learners: Enrollment signifies a formal commitment to a course of study. This could include attending classes, completing assignments, and participating in learning activities.

Understanding Possessive Forms in English:

In English, possessive forms are used to indicate ownership or relationship between two nouns.
When a noun is singular and wants to show possession, an apostrophe followed by “s” (‘s) is added. For example, “The student’s book.”

If a plural noun does not end with an “s,” the possessive form is created by adding an apostrophe followed by “s.” For instance, “The children’s toys.”
When a plural noun already ends with an “s,” only an apostrophe is added at the end to indicate possession. Example: “The students’ project.”
Remember that when showing joint possession for multiple nouns (people), you should add the apostrophe and ‘s’ after the last name listed. E.g., John and Mary’s car.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts!

Determining whether to use “student’s,” “students’,” or “students” as the correct possessive form depends on the context in which it is being used.

Understanding the basic rules of apostrophe usage and pluralization can help avoid common mistakes.

By paying attention to details and applying these guidelines correctly, writers can ensure their writing remains clear and grammatically accurate when indicating possession by students.

Remembering these simple rules will enhance the overall quality of your writing and effectively convey your intended message without confusion.