Doctor’s or Doctors’? Understanding Singular and Plural Possessive Forms

When it comes to possessives in English, the apostrophe can be a tricky piece of punctuation, especially when deciding whether to use doctor’s or doctors’. The confusion arises from understanding singular possessive, plural possessive, and how the apostrophe changes meaning in different contexts.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the rules and provide examples to clear up any confusion. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently handle possessive forms in your writing—whether it’s for a doctor or a group of doctors!

Related: Thomas’ or Thomas’s? Which is Correct?

What Is a Possessive?

A possessive shows ownership. In English, we typically show this by adding an apostrophe followed by the letter “s” (’s) to a singular noun. When dealing with plural nouns, the placement of the apostrophe can change. This distinction is what often causes confusion between doctor’s and doctors’.

• Singular Possessive: This refers to one person or thing owning something.
• Plural Possessive: This shows that more than one person or thing owns something.

Now, let’s look at how this plays out in practical terms, starting with singular and plural examples.

Singular Possessive: Doctor’s

When referring to the possession or ownership of one doctor, you would use doctor’s. Here, the apostrophe goes before the “s.”

Example Scenario:

Imagine you’re at the doctor’s office. The doctor’s stethoscope is hanging on the wall. In this case, the doctor is singular, and the stethoscope belongs to him or her. Therefore, you would use doctor’s to show that the stethoscope belongs to one person.

• Sentence Example: “I’m waiting at the doctor’s office for my appointment.”

In this sentence, we are talking about one doctor, and the office belongs to that specific person.

Plural Possessive: Doctors’

When referring to the possession or ownership of more than one doctor, the apostrophe comes after the “s,” forming doctors’. This signifies that the doctors (plural) share possession of something.

Example Scenario:

Now, imagine a clinic where multiple doctors work. The clinic has a shared doctors’ lounge. In this case, the lounge belongs to multiple doctors, so we use doctors’ with the apostrophe after the “s.”

• Sentence Example: “The doctors’ meeting was scheduled for 3 p.m.”

Here, you’re talking about multiple doctors who all attend a shared meeting, thus the use of the plural possessive.

How to Form Possessives in Writing

Knowing how to correctly form possessives is essential for clear and effective writing. Let’s break it down:

1. For Singular Possession: Add an apostrophe followed by “s” (’s) to the end of the word.
   • Example: “The doctor’s advice was very helpful.”
2. For Plural Possession (ending in “s”): Add the apostrophe after the “s.”
   • Example: “The doctors’ opinions were divided on the matter.”
3. For Irregular Plural Possessives (not ending in “s”): Add an apostrophe followed by “s” (’s).
   • Example: “The children’s health was their main priority.”
4. For Proper Nouns (names ending in “s”): You can either add just the apostrophe or follow the apostrophe with an “s.”
   • Example: “James’ appointment is tomorrow” or “James’s appointment is tomorrow.”

The form of the possessive may seem simple, but context and whether the noun is singular or plural makes all the difference.

Examples of Possessive Forms in Sentences

To make this even clearer, let’s review a variety of sentence examples, both singular and plural, showing correct use of apostrophes in possessives:

• Singular Possessive:
  • “The doctor’s diagnosis was thorough.”
  • “We went to the doctor’s office.”
• Plural Possessive:
  • “The doctors’ schedules are fully booked today.”
  • “The doctors’ lounge is down the hall.”

These examples highlight the word changes that come with singular and plural possession.

Common Mistakes with Possessives

Many people struggle with possessive forms, especially when dealing with plural nouns or nouns that already end in “s.” Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

1. Adding an Apostrophe in Plurals That Don’t Show Possession:
   • Incorrect: “The doctors are busy with their patient’s.”
   • Correct: “The doctors are busy with their patients.”
   The first sentence mistakenly adds an apostrophe to “patients,” which isn’t showing possession. The second sentence correctly uses plural form without an apostrophe.
2. Forgetting to Add the Apostrophe for Possession:
   • Incorrect: “The doctors meeting was canceled.”
   • Correct: “The doctors’ meeting was canceled.”
   This mistake occurs when the apostrophe is left out entirely, making it unclear that the meeting belongs to multiple doctors.
3. Misplacing the Apostrophe for Singular Possessive:
   • Incorrect: “The doctors office is closed.”
   • Correct: “The doctor’s office is closed.”
   Here, the apostrophe should come before the “s” to show the office belongs to one doctor.

Why Is Understanding Possessive Forms Important?

Mastering the possessive forms in English helps create clear communication in both speech and writing. Without the proper use of apostrophes, sentences can become confusing or misleading. Imagine a sentence where you’re unsure if it’s referring to one doctor or several. That tiny punctuation mark carries a lot of weight!

For instance:

• “The doctor’s advice was very useful.” (One doctor gave the advice.)
• “The doctors’ advice was very useful.” (Several doctors contributed advice.)

Notice how the meaning changes based on whether the noun is singular or plural? That’s the importance of getting it right.

How Apostrophes Help with Possessives in Regular and Irregular Plurals

Another tricky area is knowing how to handle regular plural nouns (ending in “s”) and irregular plural nouns (not ending in “s”).

Regular Plurals:

• With regular plural nouns like doctors, you simply add the apostrophe after the “s” to form the possessive.
  • Example: “The doctors’ conference starts at 9 a.m.”

Irregular Plurals:

• For irregular plurals like children, men, or women, you add ’s to form the possessive.
  • Example: “The children’s playground is next to the park.”

The difference between regular and irregular plural possessives is something that requires practice, but once understood, it becomes second nature in your writing.

Conclusion: Doctor’s or Doctors’?

The key to mastering singular possessive and plural possessive forms lies in understanding where to place the apostrophe. When the noun is singular (like doctor), the apostrophe goes before the “s” to show possession. When the noun is plural (like doctors), the apostrophe comes after the “s.”

Use this guide to navigate the rules confidently in both spoken and written English. Remember, the correct use of possessives in your writing not only clarifies meaning but also enhances your sentence structure and communication.