The exact possessive form of "people" is people's.
Understanding the Possessive of "People"
"People" is an irregular plural noun, meaning it does not form its plural by simply adding an 's' or 'es' (like "cat" to "cats"). Instead, "people" serves as the plural form of "person." Because "people" is already a plural noun that does not end in 's', its possessive form is created by adding an apostrophe followed by an 's' ( 's ). This rule applies to all irregular plural nouns that don't end in 's', such as "children" (children's) or "men" (men's).
This distinction is crucial for correct grammar, ensuring clarity when indicating possession or a relationship pertaining to a group of individuals.
When to Use "People's"
The possessive form "people's" is used when referring to something belonging to, associated with, or originating from a group of individuals.
- Belonging: What is owned by the collective group.
- Rights or Freedoms: The entitlements or liberties held by the populace.
- Perspective or Choice: The opinion or decision made by the general public.
Examples of Usage:
- The people's voices must be heard in the debate.
- The government should always respect the people's rights.
- The people's choice for the new mayor was widely celebrated.
- We visited the people's park, which was bustling with activity.
Distinguishing from "Peoples'"
It's important to differentiate "people's" from "peoples'". While "people's" (with the apostrophe before the 's') is the possessive of "people" as the plural of "person," "peoples'" (with the apostrophe after the 's') is the possessive of "peoples."
"Peoples" (plural of "people") refers to multiple distinct groups, nations, or ethnic communities. In this less common usage, since "peoples" already ends in 's', its possessive is formed by simply adding an apostrophe at the end.
- Example for "peoples'": The indigenous peoples' traditions are rich and diverse. (Here, "peoples" refers to multiple distinct groups of people).
However, in the vast majority of contexts where you're referring to a group of individuals, "people's" is the correct possessive form.
Summary of Possessive Forms
To illustrate the rule, consider the following table:
| Noun Type | Example Noun | Plural Form | Possessive Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular Noun | Person | People | Person's |
| Irregular Plural Noun | People | People | People's |
| Regular Plural Noun (ends in 's') | Citizens | Citizens | Citizens' |
| Irregular Plural Noun (ends in 's') | N/A | N/A | N/A |
For further reading on possessive forms and apostrophe usage, you can refer to reputable grammar guides such as those provided by Purdue OWL.
