The possessive form of 'kids' is kids'.
Understanding how to form possessives, especially for plural nouns, is a common point of grammar. For most plural nouns that already end in 's', you simply add an apostrophe after the 's' to indicate possession.
Understanding Possessive Forms
Forming possessives in English depends on whether the noun is singular or plural, and if the plural form ends in 's'.
- For singular nouns: Add an apostrophe and an 's' (e.g., kid's toy).
- For most plural nouns ending in 's': Add only an apostrophe after the 's' (e.g., kids' games).
- For irregular plural nouns that do not end in 's': Add an apostrophe and an 's' (e.g., children's books, men's suits).
The plural of "kid" is "kids," which ends in 's'. Therefore, its possessive form follows the rule for plurals ending in 's'.
Examples of Possessive Nouns
Here's a comparison to illustrate the rule:
- Kids': This refers to something belonging to multiple children.
- The kids' toys were scattered across the room.
- The kids' laughter filled the playground.
- Children's: "Children" is an irregular plural that does not end in 's'.
- The children's section of the library was very popular.
- We visited the children's hospital.
- Men's: "Men" is an irregular plural.
- She found the men's department on the second floor.
- Women's: "Women" is an irregular plural.
- The women's rights movement gained momentum.
Why "Kids'" and Not "Kids's"?
The possessive of "kids" is "kids'" because it adheres to the standard grammar rule for plural nouns already ending in 's'. Adding an extra 's' (e.g., "kids's") is grammatically incorrect and unnecessary, as the apostrophe alone is sufficient to denote possession when the noun is already plural and ends in 's'. This rule helps maintain readability and avoids awkward pronunciations.
For more detailed information on forming possessives, you can consult reputable grammar resources like Purdue OWL's guide on apostrophes.
