Community’s or Communities’ or Communities? Grammar Guide

When it comes to mastering English grammar, one common area of confusion lies in the possessive forms of nouns, especially for words like “community.” Whether you’re writing about a single community or several, knowing the correct possessive form is crucial for clarity. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the possessive rules for “community,” explaining when to use community’s, communities’, and communities. 

We’ll cover everything you need to know about singular and plural forms, the difference between singular possessive forms and plural possessive forms.

Communities or Community’s or Communities’: Which Is The Correct Possessive Form?

Possessive forms in English can be tricky, especially when dealing with nouns that end in “y” or have irregular plural forms.

In the case of “community,” it’s essential to distinguish between the singular possessive form (community’s) and the plural possessive form (communities’).

Let’s break this down so you can easily understand how to apply these forms correctly.

Form	Explanation	Example
Community’s	Singular possessive form. Refers to something owned by one community.	The community’s response was swift and effective.
Communities’	Plural possessive form. Refers to something owned by multiple communities.	The communities’ concerns were addressed in the meeting.
Communities	Plural form. Refers to multiple communities but without possession.	The communities are working together on the project.

Understanding these three variations is critical because using the wrong form can lead to miscommunication. 

In Simple

Form	Example
Singular	Community
Plural	Communities
Singular possessive	Community’s
Plural possessive	Communities’

For instance, saying “the community’s decisions” implies ownership by a single group, whereas “the communities’ decisions” refers to collective choices made by several groups.

Community’s

The singular possessive form of “community” is community’s. This form is used when referring to something that belongs to or is associated with a single community. The possessive form is created by adding an apostrophe followed by “s” (‘s) to the word “community.”

Examples of Singular Possessive Form:

• The community’s initiative has brought positive changes.
• This community’s unity is inspiring.
• My community’s safety measures have been widely praised.

In each of these cases, community’s shows ownership by a singular entity, making it clear that the object belongs to one community. Whether it’s a community’s values, achievements, or concerns, the singular possessive form indicates that you’re talking about one specific group.

Using Community’s in Writing

Using community’s can help convey a sense of ownership and belonging, which is particularly useful in discussions around local governance, social responsibility, and collective action within a single community. 

For instance, consider the phrase “the community’s voice was heard loud and clear.” Here, the use of community’s emphasizes that the singular subject—the community—has a collective opinion that was acknowledged.

The singular possessive form is essential for clearly communicating ownership, especially when discussing specific initiatives or characteristics of one community. It can be applied in various contexts, whether referring to a neighborhood, social group, or even an online community.

Communities’

The plural possessive form of “community” is communities’. This is used when more than one community owns or is associated with something. The rule for creating the plural possessive form is to add only an apostrophe after the plural version of the word (communities’).

Examples of Plural Possessive Form:

• The communities’ collaboration led to better outcomes.
• Both communities’ interests were considered during the discussion.
• Several communities’ initiatives have been highlighted in the news.

Here, communities’ indicates that multiple communities share ownership of the object. It could be shared goals, concerns, or actions. The plural possessive form helps differentiate when we are talking about plural subjects acting together or owning something collectively.

Using Communities’ in Writing

When writing about multiple communities working together or sharing responsibility, using communities’ emphasizes this collaboration. Consider this example: “The communities’ leaders came together to address the common threat.” The use of communities’ highlights that leadership across multiple groups is involved.

In discussions about societal or governmental issues, it’s common to see phrases like “the communities’ contributions” or “the communities’ goals.” In these cases, using the plural possessive form conveys that several different groups are collectively contributing to the topic at hand.

Using communities’ effectively communicates the shared nature of the subjects and their objects, making it clear that multiple communities are involved. It’s especially useful in cases where decisions, actions, or results are the outcome of collaboration between different communities.

Communities

The word communities is simply the plural form of community. It refers to more than one community without implying possession. It’s a general term used to talk about multiple groups, but without the context of ownership.

Examples of Plural Form:

• The communities in this region are known for their resilience.
• All the communities are invited to participate in the annual event.
• Rural communities face unique challenges compared to urban ones.

In these cases, communities refers to multiple groups or communities, but there’s no possessive involved. You’re simply talking about different communities as distinct entities.

Using Communities in Writing

The plural form of community is useful for discussions where you’re referring to more than one group or society. Whether in sociological discussions, local governance, or online forums, communities represents a broader scope of groups working independently or together.

For instance, in a discussion about climate change, you might write, “Communities around the world are working on sustainable solutions.” Here, communities refers to various groups globally but doesn’t imply ownership of any specific object.

Understanding the difference between communities (plural) and communities’ (plural possessive) is key to clear communication, especially when multiple groups are involved in the discussion.

Why Understanding Possessive Forms Is Important

Grasping the difference between community’s, communities’, and communities ensures you convey precise meaning in your writing. The misuse of these forms can lead to confusion and ambiguity, especially when discussing ownership or association.

Form	Ownership Context	Example
Community’s	Singular possessive, ownership by one community	The community’s annual festival is a major event.
Communities’	Plural possessive, ownership by multiple communities	The communities’ joint project was a great success.
Communities	Plural form, referring to multiple communities without ownership	The communities are facing similar challenges.

This table provides a clear guide for distinguishing between these terms and using them effectively in your writing.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of community’s, communities’, and communities is crucial for clear and effective writing. Understanding the singular possessive form, plural possessive form, and simple plural form helps you avoid common mistakes and ensures that your writing is precise and professional. Whether you’re discussing a single community or multiple communities, getting the possessive forms right will enhance the clarity of your message.

By following the correct possessive rules, you’ll not only improve your writing but also ensure your readers understand exactly what you’re trying to convey. So next time you’re writing about one community or several communities, remember the difference between community’s, communities’, and communities.

Read More:

15 Polished Alternatives to “I Hope You Had a Great Weekend”

Please Let Me Know Your Thoughts-Ways To Say In English

16 Ways to Say Safe Travels Synonym

“On The Bus” or “In The Bus”: A Simple Guide with Examples

Is Hard Work One Word?

20 Others Name to say “Please Ignore this Mail”