Client’s or Clients’ or Clients? A Guide to Possessive Forms and Their Usage

When it comes to professional writing, particularly in business communication, small details can make a big difference. One of the most commonly misused grammatical nuances in formal writing is the possessive form. In the world of client communication, knowing when to use client’s, clients’, or simply clients can be tricky but is essential for writing accuracy.

This guide will walk you through the different possessive forms, explain how they affect your writing, and provide examples of how they can be used in various business settings like business proposals, formal emails, and more.

Understanding Possession in Grammar

Before diving into the specifics of Client’s, Clients’, and Clients, let’s first understand what possession in grammar means. Essentially, a possessive form indicates ownership or a relationship of some kind. In English, this is typically shown by adding an apostrophe (‘) to a noun.

Singular Possessive: Client’s

The singular possessive form is used when you are talking about something belonging to one client. When you add an apostrophe and “s” to the noun client, you are showing that one client owns or is associated with something. Here’s how it works:

Example:

Email to a client

Subject: Request for Feedback on Recent Proposal

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to follow up on client’s feedback regarding the proposal we submitted last week. Could you please let us know if there are any revisions you would like us to make before we proceed further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
Emily Davis
Business Development Manager

In this case, the possessive form client’s refers to something belonging to one client, in this instance, the feedback from the client.

Plural Possessive: Clients’

When you’re referring to something that belongs to multiple clients, the plural possessive form is used. To create the plural possessive, you add an apostrophe after the “s” at the end of the word clients. This shows that the possession belongs to more than one client.

Example:

Business Proposal to Multiple Clients

Subject: Revised Business Proposal Based on Clients’ Requests

Dear Team,

I’ve attached the updated proposal based on clients’ requests. As discussed in our last meeting, we’ve included additional services and revised the pricing structure to better align with their needs. Please review and let me know if you have any questions or further adjustments before we send it out.

Best regards,
Robert Lee
Senior Consultant

Here, clients’ shows that the requests belong to multiple clients.

Non-Possessive Form: Clients

Sometimes, no possessive form is needed. The word clients without an apostrophe simply refers to the clients as a group. This is the plural form of client, and it’s used when you’re not talking about ownership or possession.

Example:

Business Email to a Team

Subject: Client Communication Strategies for the Upcoming Quarter

Hi Team,

I wanted to touch base about the strategies we’ll be implementing to improve clients‘ experience with our service in the upcoming quarter. As we discussed, we’ll be focusing on better communication and faster response times. I’ll provide more detailed steps in our next meeting.

Regards,
Sarah Mitchell
Client Relations Manager

In this case, clients refers to the group of people the company serves, without showing possession.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

It’s easy to get confused between client’s, clients’, and clients. In the rush of professional writing, these errors can occur, but they can be easily avoided by understanding the context.

Error: Mixing Up Singular and Plural Possessives

A common mistake is using client’s when you’re referring to more than one client. This can create confusion, as it implies that multiple clients share something that belongs to a single individual.

Incorrect:
I have received client’s feedback on the proposal. (This implies that feedback from many clients belongs to a single client.)

Correct:
I have received clients’ feedback on the proposal. (This shows that the feedback is from multiple clients.)

Error: Leaving Out the Apostrophe for Plural Possession

When referring to multiple clients owning or being associated with something, it’s important to place the apostrophe after the “s” in clients’. Omitting the apostrophe can change the meaning entirely.

Incorrect:
We received clients feedback. (This is incorrect because the feedback is not clearly shown as belonging to clients.)

Correct:
We received clients’ feedback. (This indicates that the feedback comes from multiple clients.)

Practical Scenarios in Business Communication

Now, let’s look at a few more examples to see how these possessive forms appear in various business email etiquette situations.

Example 1: Formal Email for Client Feedback

Subject: Request for Your Feedback

Dear Ms. Johnson,

Thank you for your continued partnership. We greatly value your opinion and would appreciate hearing client’s thoughts on the recent service enhancements. Could you kindly provide us with your feedback by the end of the week?

Best regards,
John White
Account Manager

In this case, client’s is used to refer to the feedback coming from a single client, Ms. Johnson.

Example 2: Business Proposal Email to Several Clients

Subject: Proposal for Enhanced Service Agreement

Dear Clients,

Attached is a proposal that we believe will be of interest to you. It addresses some of the key needs and concerns you’ve shared with us. Based on our discussions, we’ve tailored the offering to match clients’ expectations. We look forward to your review and feedback.

Best regards,
Megan Stewart
Business Development Lead

Here, clients’ is used to show possession of the expectations that belong to multiple clients.

Key Differences Between Singular and Plural Possessive

To better visualize the differences, here’s a quick reference table:

Possessive Form	Example	Use Case
Client’s	Client’s proposal is ready.	Referring to something belonging to one client.
Clients’	Clients’ feedback was positive.	Referring to something belonging to multiple clients.
Clients	We are meeting with clients today.	Referring to the group of clients without indicating possession.

Grammatical Clarity in Business Writing

Ensuring grammatical clarity in your business communication is crucial. Whether you’re sending formal emails, business proposals, or simply business feedback, your message should be clear and easy to understand. Misusing possessive forms can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.

By mastering the correct usage of client’s, clients’, and clients, you ensure that your message comes across as professional, polished, and clear. Whether you’re drafting a quick business email or a detailed proposal, keeping your possessive forms in check contributes to writing accuracy and effective communication.

Conclusion

In professional writing, especially in the context of client communication, it’s essential to master the possessive forms to ensure clarity and precision. Whether you’re referring to something belonging to one client (client’s), several clients (clients’), or just the clients in general (clients), each form has its place.

By paying attention to these grammatical nuances, you can elevate your professional writing and avoid the common pitfalls that come with improper possessive usage. Remember, attention to detail in your writing reflects your commitment to high standards in business communication.