The English language is full of tricky nuances, and one common confusion involves the words others, other’s or others’. These words may seem similar, but they have distinct meanings and usage rules. Understanding the difference between them will not only help you improve your writing but also make your communication clearer and more precise.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between others, other’s, and others’, explain their individual uses with examples, and help you avoid common mistakes. By the end, you’ll feel confident using these terms in everyday situations.
Others vs other’s or others’ Exercises
Before diving into the definitions and examples, let’s look at a brief exercise to highlight the key differences between these three terms.
- Choose the correct form of the word to complete the sentence:
- The teachers were discussing _________* opinions about the new curriculum.
- I didn’t want to do it, but I couldn’t let my _________ suggestions go to waste.
- We should respect _________ views even if we don’t agree with them.
- Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “others”:
- It was hard for me to understand their _____________ point of view.
- I’m always comparing myself to _____________.
- She didn’t mind if _____________ didn’t like her new idea.
- Correct the errors in these sentences:
- I asked for the others’s help on the project.
- Can you borrow other’s book while I finish reading mine?
- There were many others’ who disagreed with the decision.
Others
Let’s begin with the most straightforward term: others.
What is “Others”?
The word others is a plural noun. It refers to additional people or things besides the ones already mentioned. It’s used to talk about groups or things other than the ones you’re specifically discussing.
Examples:
- “I prefer reading novels over non-fiction books, but others enjoy biographies.”
- “Some students were present, while others were absent.”
- “We bought the books we needed, but there were others on the list we didn’t get.”
In each of these sentences, others simply refers to a group of people or items that are distinct from the ones specifically mentioned.
Key Points to Remember:
- Others is used when referring to multiple items or people.
- It is not possessive. There is no apostrophe involved.
- Others can be used with plural and uncountable nouns.
Other’s
Now, let’s look at other’s.
What is “Other’s”?
The term other’s is the possessive form of other. This means it’s used to show that something belongs to “another” person, item, or group.
The possessive form of other is created by adding an apostrophe and an “s” at the end of “other.”
Examples:
- “Please give me the other’s pencil so I can finish the test.”
- “The other’s opinion was more persuasive than mine.”
- “We need to consider the other’s responsibilities before making a decision.”
Key Points to Remember:
- Other’s shows possession.
- It’s not used to refer to a group or multiple people, but rather something that belongs to one “other” (singular).
Others’
Lastly, let’s examine others’.
What is “Others’”?
The term others’ is the possessive form of the plural noun others. This form is used to indicate that something belongs to more than one person or thing that is different from the ones already mentioned.
Just like other’s, others’ shows possession, but in this case, the apostrophe comes after the “s” to indicate it’s referring to multiple people or things.
Examples:
- “We must respect others’ opinions, even if we don’t agree.”
- “The team’s success depends on others’ contributions.”
- “You should always value others’ time and effort.”
Key Points to Remember:
- Others’ shows possession in a plural sense.
- It refers to things belonging to more than one person or group.
- The apostrophe goes after the “s,” as others is already plural.
Common Errors
Even seasoned writers sometimes get confused between others, other’s, and others’. Here are some of the most common errors to watch out for:
- Using the wrong form of the possessive:
- Incorrect: “I think I lost the others’s books.”
- Correct: “I think I lost the others’ books.”
- Confusing singular and plural forms:
- Incorrect: “I prefer to listen to the other’s opinions, but others disagrees.”
- Correct: “I prefer to listen to the other’s opinions, but others disagree.”
- Misplacing the apostrophe:
- Incorrect: “I borrowed the other’s pencil yesterday.”Correct: “I borrowed the other’s pencil yesterday.”
Everyday Use
other’s or others’, The correct use of others, other’s, and others’ plays a significant role in making your writing clear and precise. In everyday communication, you’ll often find yourself using others the most. It’s the easiest and most common form, especially when talking about groups of people or things. Here’s a breakdown of where and how you might use each one:
- Others: Use this when talking about a group of people or things.
- “I met Sarah and some others at the event.”
- Other’s: Use this to talk about possession by a singular person or thing.
- “Can you borrow the other’s pen while I find mine?”
- Others’: This is used when talking about possession by more than one person or thing.
- “I appreciate others’ help in making this project a success.”
FAQ
1. What’s the difference between other’s and others’?
- Other’s shows possession for a singular thing or person. For example, “I lost the other’s key.”
- Others’ shows possession for plural things or people. For example, “We all respected others’ opinions.”
2. Can I use other’s to refer to a group of people?
No, other’s refers to a singular thing or person. To refer to a group, use others or others’ if showing possession.
3. Is it ever correct to use others’s?
No, the correct possessive form of others is others’, not others’s. Adding an extra “s” after the apostrophe is grammatically incorrect.
4. Can others be used as a singular word?
No, others is always plural. It refers to multiple people or things, not one individual.
Conclusion
While others, other’s, and others’ might seem tricky at first glance, once you understand their distinct meanings and uses, it becomes easy to avoid confusion.
- Others is plural, used to refer to people or things other than those already mentioned.
- Other’s is the possessive form of other, used for singular possession.
- Others’ is the possessive form of others, indicating possession by multiple people or things.
The key to mastering these forms is to remember that others is the plural, and the apostrophe placement signals possession. So, whether you’re writing an essay, sending a text message, or having a conversation, use these tips to ensure you’re always clear, correct, and confident in your communication!
Jacob Harrison is the seasoned writer behind Grammar Insights, with over nine years of experience in the field. Passionate about language, he shares practical tips and strategies to help readers enhance their grammar and writing skills. With a friendly approach, Jacob makes learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone.