Meetings vs. Meeting’s – Which is Correct?
When should you write “meetings” instead of “meeting’s”? Both forms are correct, but they serve different grammatical purposes. “Meetings” is the regular plural of “meeting,” meaning more than one gathering. “Meeting’s” is either singular possessive or a contraction of “meeting is” or “meeting has.” Context determines the choice. Use apostrophes only when required.
Meetings or Meeting’s – Which is Correct?
“Meetings” and “meeting’s” are both correct, but they cannot usually be substituted for each other. Use meetings when referring to two or more gatherings. Use meeting’s when showing that one meeting owns or relates to something, or when shortening “meeting is” or “meeting has.”
The most common mistake is using an apostrophe to form a plural. Apostrophes generally do not make ordinary nouns plural, so “three meetings” is correct, while “three meeting’s” is incorrect.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “more than one” test. If you mean multiple gatherings, write meetings without an apostrophe. If you can replace the word with “meeting is,” “meeting has,” or “of the meeting,” use meeting’s.
- Several meetings = several gatherings.
- The meeting’s agenda = the agenda of the meeting.
- The meeting’s starting = the meeting is starting.
- The meeting’s ended = the meeting has ended.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| meetings | Plural noun | More than one meeting | We have three meetings tomorrow. |
| meeting’s | Possessive noun or contraction | Belonging to one meeting; “meeting is” or “meeting has” | The meeting’s agenda is available. |
How to Use Meetings
Meetings is the plural form of the noun meeting. It refers to two or more organized gatherings, discussions, conferences, appointments, or sessions. The word is common in both casual and formal English and is frequently used in workplace, academic, political, and community contexts.
Use meetings when the noun is the subject or object of a sentence and you are discussing multiple events. Do not add an apostrophe unless you are expressing possession.
Example 1: The project team held several meetings before approving the design.
Example 2: All meetings must be scheduled through the department calendar.
Example 3: The manager canceled two meetings because of an unexpected deadline.
What are the different forms of meetings?
Meetings is the regular plural form of meeting. The singular is meeting, and the plural is formed by adding -s: meeting becomes meetings. The possessive forms are meeting’s for one meeting and meetings’ for multiple meetings.
- One meeting: The meeting begins at nine.
- More than one meeting: The meetings begin at nine and ten.
- One meeting’s possession: The meeting’s purpose is clear.
- Multiple meetings’ possession: The meetings’ schedules overlap.
Etymology of the word meetings
Meeting comes from the Old English verb mētan, meaning “to meet” or “to come together.” It developed into a noun referring to an occasion when people gather. The plural suffix -s was added according to the ordinary rules of modern English noun formation.
How to Use Meeting’s
Meeting’s has two grammatical uses. First, it is the singular possessive form of meeting, indicating that something belongs to, concerns, or is associated with one meeting. Second, it can contract meeting is or meeting has.
In formal writing, the possessive use is common: “the meeting’s location.” The contraction is more conversational, although it can appear in dialogue, emails, reports, and other less formal writing. Look at the words that follow the form to determine its meaning.
Example 1: The meeting’s location was changed to the main conference room.
Example 2: The meeting’s starting later than expected because several participants are delayed.
Example 3: The meeting’s ended, so the team is returning to work.
What are the different forms of meeting’s?
Meeting’s is not a separate vocabulary word with its own plural form. It is an apostrophe form of meeting. As a possessive, it shows that one meeting has a relationship to another noun. As a contraction, it shortens either meeting is or meeting has.
- Possessive: The meeting’s notes are confidential. This means the notes belong to or come from the meeting.
- “Meeting is”: The meeting’s beginning now. This means the meeting is beginning now.
- “Meeting has”: The meeting’s finished. This means the meeting has finished.
Do not confuse meeting’s with meetings’. The first refers to one meeting, while the second is the possessive form of the plural noun meetings.
Etymology of the word meeting’s
Meeting’s combines the noun meeting with the possessive apostrophe and s, a convention that developed in English to mark ownership or association. In its contracted form, the apostrophe represents omitted letters in is or has.
Related Concepts
Understanding plurals, possessives, and contractions makes it easier to choose between meetings and meeting’s.
- Plural nouns: A plural noun refers to more than one person, place, thing, or event. Most regular English nouns form their plurals by adding -s or -es, as in meeting and meetings.
- Possessive nouns: A possessive noun shows ownership, association, or connection. A singular noun generally takes an apostrophe and s, as in the meeting’s agenda.
- Contractions: A contraction combines words and replaces omitted letters with an apostrophe. Meeting’s can represent meeting is or meeting has.
- Plural possessives: A plural noun ending in s usually takes an apostrophe after the final s. Therefore, the meetings’ schedules refers to schedules associated with multiple meetings.
Examples from Media and Literature
Both forms appear in professional communication, journalism, fiction, and screen dialogue. The surrounding sentence reveals whether the writer means multiple gatherings or a singular possessive or contraction.
- Business news: “The company announced a series of meetings with investors.” Here, meetings is a plural noun.
- Political reporting: “The meeting’s outcome could influence the proposed legislation.” Here, meeting’s is possessive because the outcome is associated with one meeting.
- Workplace dialogue: “The meeting’s starting in five minutes.” Here, meeting’s means “meeting is.”
- Historical writing: “Secret meetings shaped the movement’s early plans.” Here, meetings refers to multiple gatherings.
- Fictional dialogue: “The meeting’s ended, but the argument has not.” Here, meeting’s means “meeting has.”
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence: meetings or meeting’s.
- The committee held four ______ during the review process.
- The ______ agenda includes a discussion of the new budget.
- The ______ beginning later than planned because the presenter is delayed.
- All ______ must be recorded in the shared calendar.
- The ______ finished, so everyone left the room.
Answer Key
- meetings — The sentence refers to four gatherings.
- meeting’s — The agenda is associated with one meeting.
- meeting’s — This means “the meeting is beginning later.”
- meetings — The sentence refers to multiple meetings.
- meeting’s — This means “the meeting has finished.”
Meetings Synonyms
The best synonym for meetings depends on the type and purpose of the gatherings.
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Gatherings | Events where people come together, often in a general or social sense. |
| Sessions | Scheduled periods devoted to discussion, instruction, or work. |
| Conferences | Large, organized meetings, often involving experts or representatives. |
| Conversations | Exchanges of ideas or information, usually less formal than meetings. |
| Assemblies | Formal gatherings of people for a specific purpose. |
Meeting’s Synonyms
Meeting’s does not have a direct synonym because it is an inflected or contracted form rather than a standalone meaning. However, its underlying uses can be expressed with related phrases.
| Related Expression | Definition |
|---|---|
| Of the meeting | A phrase that can replace the possessive use in some sentences. |
| Belonging to the meeting | A longer phrase showing association or ownership. |
| Meeting is | The expanded form of the contraction in sentences such as “The meeting’s starting.” |
| Meeting has | The expanded form of the contraction in sentences such as “The meeting’s ended.” |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “meetings” or “meeting’s” correct?
Both are correct in different situations. Use meetings as the plural of meeting. Use meeting’s for singular possession or as a contraction of “meeting is” or “meeting has.”
Question 2: Is “meeting’s” the plural of “meeting”?
No. The correct plural is meetings, without an apostrophe. Meeting’s is not a standard plural form.
Question 3: What is the difference between “meeting’s” and “meetings’”?
Meeting’s is singular possessive and refers to one meeting. Meetings’ is plural possessive and refers to something associated with multiple meetings.
Question 4: How can I tell whether “meeting’s” means “meeting is” or “meeting has”?
Expand the contraction in context. For example, “The meeting’s starting” means “The meeting is starting,” while “The meeting’s ended” means “The meeting has ended.”
Question 5: Should I use “meetings” in formal writing?
Yes. Meetings is the standard plural form and is appropriate in formal, academic, business, and casual writing.
Conclusion
Use meetings when you mean more than one gathering. Use meeting’s only for singular possession or as a contraction of “meeting is” or “meeting has.” Remember that apostrophes do not normally create plurals. Pro Tip: Choosing the correct form in professional emails, reports, and schedules strengthens your credibility and prevents avoidable misunderstandings.
