Others vs. Other’s – Which is Correct?
“Others” is the plural form used for additional people or things, while “other’s” is the singular possessive form of “other,” showing that something belongs to one other person or thing. Use “others” without an apostrophe for a group; use “other’s” only when possession is intended and “other” is singular exactly.
Others or Other’s – Which is Correct?
Both others and other’s are correct, but they have different grammatical functions. Others is usually a plural pronoun meaning additional people or things. For example, in “Some students studied while others relaxed,” others refers to additional students.
Other’s is the singular possessive form of other. It means that one “other” person or thing owns, possesses, or is associated with something. For example, “This seat is the other’s” means the seat belongs to the other person. In ordinary writing, the other person’s is often clearer and more natural.
Do not confuse other’s with others’. The first is singular possessive, while the second is plural possessive: “the other’s opinion” refers to one other person’s opinion, whereas “the others’ opinions” refers to the opinions of several people.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the apostrophe test: an apostrophe usually signals possession. If you can replace the word with additional people or additional things, use others. If you can replace it with one other person’s or one other thing’s, use other’s.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| others | Plural pronoun or noun | Additional people or things | Some agreed, but others objected. |
| other’s | Singular possessive form | Belonging to one other person or thing | The other’s answer was more detailed. |
How to Use Others
Others refers to people or things that are additional to those already mentioned. It commonly works as a pronoun, so it can stand alone without a noun following it. It may also appear after words such as some, many, few, or the.
The word is neutral in tone and works in casual, academic, business, and formal writing. When others is used as a pronoun, it normally means “other people” or “other things.” Do not write others people; use other people or simply others.
Example 1: Some employees preferred remote work, while others returned to the office.
Example 2: This design is more practical than the others.
Example 3: A few passengers complained, but most others remained calm.
What are the different forms of Others?
Others is already a plural form. Its related forms include other for a singular person or thing, others for multiple people or things, other’s for singular possession, and others’ for plural possession.
- Other: one additional or different person or thing, as in “the other option.”
- Others: additional people or things, as in “the others arrived later.”
- Other’s: something belonging to one other person or thing, as in “the other’s decision.”
- Others’: something belonging to multiple other people or things, as in “the others’ decisions.”
Etymology of the word Others
Others comes from other, which developed from Old English ōþer. The older word was related to terms meaning “the second of two,” “different,” or “additional.” The plural ending -s gives the modern word its meaning of multiple additional people or things.
How to Use Other’s
Other’s is the singular possessive form of other. It is used when other functions as a singular noun and something belongs to that one other person or thing. The word often appears in a contrast involving two people or things, such as “one person’s view and the other’s.”
Although grammatically correct, other’s can sound less natural than a clearer phrase such as the other person’s, the other child’s, or the other machine’s. Use the expanded phrase when the meaning could be unclear.
Example 1: My opinion differed from the other’s.
Example 2: One proposal was approved, but the other’s budget was too high.
Example 3: The first cat avoided the water, while the other’s behavior was completely different.
What are the different forms of Other’s?
Other’s is not a separate base word; it is the possessive form of the singular word other. The apostrophe followed by s shows possession by one other person or thing. For several owners, use others’, with the apostrophe after the plural s.
- Other: singular nonpossessive form.
- Other’s: singular possessive form.
- Others: plural nonpossessive form.
- Others’: plural possessive form.
Etymology of the word Other’s
Other’s combines the Old English-derived word other with the modern English possessive ending ’s. The apostrophe developed as a written marker of omitted letters in possessive forms and now helps distinguish singular possession from the ordinary word other.
Related Concepts
Understanding pronouns, plurals, and possessive apostrophes makes the distinction between others and other’s much easier to recognize.
- Plural pronouns: A plural pronoun replaces a plural noun or refers to multiple people or things. Others can replace phrases such as other students or additional options.
- Possessive forms: Possessive forms show ownership or association. The apostrophe in other’s indicates that one other person or thing possesses something.
- Plural possessives: A plural possessive refers to ownership by more than one person or thing. Others’ means “belonging to others.”
- Determiners and pronouns: Other can come before a noun, as in “other ideas,” while others can stand alone, as in “others had different ideas.”
Examples from Media and Literature
The distinction appears frequently in titles, narration, commentary, and descriptions of groups or alternatives.
- The Others: The title of the 2001 film uses others as a plural noun referring to additional people or beings.
- The Other: Titles such as Thomas Tryon’s novel The Other use the singular form to identify one different or additional person or thing.
- News reporting: A report may state, “Some residents supported the proposal, while others requested changes.” Here, others refers to additional residents.
- Literary narration: A story may contrast two characters by writing, “One trusted the guide, while the other’s doubts continued.” Here, other’s means that the doubts belonged to the second character.
- Documentary commentary: A narrator might say, “Some species adapt quickly, while others migrate.” The word others identifies additional species within the group.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence: others or other’s.
- Some candidates answered immediately, while ______ requested more time.
- The first witness changed her story, but the ______ remained consistent.
- These instructions are clearer than the ______.
- One team celebrated its victory while the ______ players packed their equipment.
- The first apartment was expensive, but the ______ location was inconvenient.
Answer Key
- others — This refers to additional candidates.
- other’s — The consistency belongs to one other witness.
- others — This refers to additional instructions.
- other’s — The players belong to or are associated with one other team.
- other’s — The location belongs to or is associated with the other apartment.
Others Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Additional people | People beyond those already mentioned |
| The rest | All remaining members of a group |
| The remainder | The remaining people or things |
| Additional ones | More items or things of the type under discussion |
Other’s Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| The other person’s | Belonging to one other person |
| The alternative’s | Belonging to the other available choice |
| The counterpart’s | Belonging to a corresponding person or thing |
| The remaining one’s | Belonging to the one left after another has been identified |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “others” correct?
Yes. Others is the plural form used for additional people or things. For example, “Some customers complained, but others were satisfied.”
Question 2: Is “other’s” grammatically correct?
Yes. Other’s is grammatically correct when it shows singular possession by one other person or thing. However, phrases such as the other person’s are often clearer.
Question 3: What is the difference between “other’s” and “others’”?
Other’s is singular possessive and refers to one owner. Others’ is plural possessive and refers to multiple owners. For example, “the other’s opinion” concerns one person, while “the others’ opinions” concerns several people.
Conclusion
Others means additional people or things and does not require an apostrophe. Other’s means belonging to one other person or thing and uses an apostrophe to show possession. When in doubt, replace others with “additional people or things” and other’s with “one other person’s.” Pro Tip: Choosing the correct form in professional writing demonstrates grammatical accuracy and protects your credibility.
