Nobodies vs. Nobody’s – Which is Correct?

The choice between nobodies and nobody’s depends entirely on context, as both are grammatically correct but serve different functions. Nobodies is the plural form of the noun “nobody,” referring to insignificant people. Nobody’s is either the possessive form of “nobody” (belonging to no one) or a contraction of “nobody is” or “nobody has.”

Nobodies or Nobody’s – Which is Correct?

Both “nobodies” and “nobody’s” are correct in American English, but they are used in distinct grammatical situations. The core difference lies in their function: “nobodies” is a plural noun, while “nobody’s” is either a possessive form or a contraction.

Nobodies refers to multiple individuals who are considered unimportant, unknown, or lacking influence. It is the plural of the indefinite pronoun “nobody” when “nobody” is treated as a noun to mean “an unimportant person.”

Nobody’s, on the other hand, has two primary uses:

• As a possessive form, it indicates that something belongs to no one. For example, “It’s nobody’s fault.”
• As a contraction, it shortens “nobody is” or “nobody has.” For example, “Nobody’s home” (nobody is home) or “Nobody’s seen him” (nobody has seen him).

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, use the “Plural vs. Possession/Contraction” trick:

• If you are talking about multiple unimportant people, think “many bodies” and use nobodies (no apostrophe).
• If you are talking about something belonging to no one, or replacing “nobody is” / “nobody has,” think “apostrophe for ownership or shortening” and use nobody’s.

Try the “Swap Test” for “nobody’s”: If you can replace “nobody’s” with “nobody is” or “nobody has,” then the apostrophe is correct. If you are referring to multiple people, and “nobody is” doesn’t fit, then “nobodies” is likely the word you need.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Nobodies	Plural Noun	Insignificant or unknown people	They started as nobodies but rose to fame.
Nobody’s	Possessive Pronoun / Contraction	Belonging to no one / Nobody is / Nobody has	It was nobody’s fault. / Nobody’s coming to the party.

How to Use Nobodies

“Nobodies” is exclusively used as a plural noun to refer to people who lack importance, fame, or influence. It often carries a somewhat dismissive or understated tone, highlighting their low social standing or anonymity. It can also be used ironically to describe someone who was once famous but is no longer.

Example 1: The story of how a band of nobodies became rock legends is truly inspiring.

Example 2: In the grand scheme of things, we are all just nobodies in the universe.

Example 3: He treated his employees like nobodies, never acknowledging their hard work.

What are the different forms of Nobodies?

“Nobodies” is already the plural form of the indefinite pronoun “nobody” when it’s used as a noun meaning an unimportant person. The singular form is “nobody.” It does not have further inflections for tense or degree, as it is a noun.

Etymology of the word Nobodies

The word “nobody” originated in Middle English, formed from “no” and “body.” It literally means “no person” or “no one.” Its use as a noun to refer to an unimportant person emerged later, allowing for the plural form “nobodies” to describe multiple such individuals.

How to Use Nobody’s

“Nobody’s” serves two distinct grammatical functions: as a possessive form and as a contraction. Understanding the context is key to using it correctly.

When used as a possessive form, “nobody’s” indicates ownership or association by no one. It answers the question “whose?” with “no one’s.”

Example 1 (Possessive): The secret was nobody’s business but his own.

Example 2 (Possessive): That opinion is nobody’s, it’s just a general sentiment.

When used as a contraction, “nobody’s” is a shorthand for either “nobody is” or “nobody has.”

Example 3 (Contraction – nobody is): Nobody’s perfect, so don’t be too hard on yourself.

Example 4 (Contraction – nobody has): Nobody’s seen a ghost in this house for years.

What are the different forms of Nobody’s?

“Nobody’s” itself is a specific grammatical form (possessive or contraction). It does not have further inflections like tenses or degrees. Its “forms” are its two distinct functions:

• Possessive: Demonstrates that something belongs to no one (e.g., “nobody’s responsibility”).
• Contraction: Combines “nobody” with “is” (e.g., “nobody’s here”) or “has” (e.g., “nobody’s finished”).

Etymology of the word Nobody’s

The root word “nobody” comes from Middle English, a combination of “no” and “body.” The apostrophe and “s” (‘s) appended to “nobody” follows standard English grammar rules for forming possessives of singular nouns/pronouns (e.g., “one’s,” “everyone’s”) and for forming contractions with “is” or “has.”

Related Concepts

Understanding these broader grammatical concepts will help solidify your grasp on when to use “nobodies” versus “nobody’s.”

• Apostrophes: These punctuation marks serve two main purposes in English: indicating possession (as in “nobody’s book”) and forming contractions by replacing missing letters (as in “nobody’s home” for “nobody is home”).
• Plurals: Most nouns form their plural by adding “-s” or “-es” (e.g., “cat” to “cats”). In the case of “nobody” when treated as a noun meaning an unimportant person, its plural is “nobodies.”
• Possessives: Possessive forms indicate ownership or a close relationship. For most singular nouns, this is achieved by adding an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s), as seen in “nobody’s.”
• Contractions: These are shortened forms of words or phrases where certain letters are omitted and replaced by an apostrophe. “Nobody’s” is a common contraction for “nobody is” or “nobody has.”

Examples from Media and Literature

• “There are no small parts, only small actors.” This famous acting maxim implies that even if a role seems like that of a nobody, a good actor can make it significant.
• In the song “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees, the line “Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer, not a trace of doubt in my mind” uses “not a trace” to mean “nobody’s trace” or “no one’s trace.”
• From George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four: “If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.” This implies that the secret is so private, it is almost nobody’s knowledge.
• “It’s nobody’s fault but my own,” is a common phrase heard in movies when a character accepts full responsibility.
• A common trope in stories is a hero who starts as a true nobody, overlooked by everyone, only to rise and save the day.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. After years of being treated like __________, she finally decided to stand up for herself.
2. It was __________ business how he chose to spend his money.
3. __________ home, so we can’t get in without a key.
4. The team of __________ pulled off an unexpected victory against the reigning champions.
5. __________ seen such a magnificent sunset before.

Answer Key

1. nobodies
2. nobody’s
3. Nobody’s
4. nobodies
5. Nobody’s

Nobodies Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Nonentities	Persons of no importance or significance.
Unknowns	People who are not famous or recognized.
Ciphers	Persons of no influence or power; a mere tool.
Unimportant individuals	People lacking consequence or value.

Nobody’s Synonyms

“Nobody’s” functions primarily as a possessive form or a contraction, rather than a standalone word with direct lexical synonyms. However, we can consider phrases that convey similar meanings for its different uses:

Context / Similar Meaning	Explanation
Belonging to no one	Used when “nobody’s” indicates possession (e.g., “This is nobody’s property”).
Not anyone’s	A direct replacement for the possessive form.
No one is	The expanded form when “nobody’s” is a contraction for “nobody is.”
No one has	The expanded form when “nobody’s” is a contraction for “nobody has.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “nobodies” grammatically correct?
Yes, “nobodies” is grammatically correct as the plural form of the noun “nobody” when it refers to multiple unimportant or unknown people. For example, “They were just a bunch of nobodies before their big break.”

Question 2: When should I use an apostrophe with “nobody”?
You should use an apostrophe with “nobody” to form “nobody’s” when you intend to show possession (e.g., “It’s nobody’s fault”) or when you are using it as a contraction for “nobody is” (e.g., “Nobody’s home”) or “nobody has” (e.g., “Nobody’s called me”).

Question 3: Can “nobody’s” be plural?
No, “nobody’s” is always singular. As a possessive, it refers to something belonging to “no one” (a singular concept). As a contraction, it stands for “nobody is” or “nobody has,” both of which use singular verb forms. The plural form for unimportant people is “nobodies.”

Conclusion

The distinction between “nobodies” and “nobody’s” is a clear example of how an apostrophe can completely change a word’s meaning and grammatical function. Remember that “nobodies” is the plural noun for insignificant people, while “nobody’s” indicates possession or serves as a contraction for “nobody is” or “nobody has.” By applying the “Plural vs. Possession/Contraction” rule, you can confidently choose the correct form every time.

Pro Tip: Pay close attention to whether you’re referring to multiple individuals or indicating ownership/a state of being. Misusing an apostrophe can subtly alter your meaning and impact your professional credibility in written communication.