Others or Other’s:How to Use Each Properly? 📚

A small apostrophe changes how a sentence works, which often causes confusion in writing, emails, and school assignments. Writers may wonder when to add the apostrophe or when to leave it out.

“Others” is the plural form, while “other’s” shows possession. Many people search for others or other’s because these two look similar but have different meanings.

This confusion happens because English uses apostrophes for possession but not for simple plurals. In this guide, you will learn the clear difference between “others” and “other’s,” why the mistake happens, and how to choose the right form every time using easy examples and simple rules.

Table of Contents

Others or Other’s: Quick Answer

The difference between others and other’s is simple once you know the rule:

Others = plural word. It means “more people or things.”
Other’s = possessive form. It shows that something belongs to another person or thing.

Examples

✅ Others are waiting outside.
✅ Some people prefer tea; others like coffee.

✅ The other’s opinion was different.
✅ I borrowed the other’s notebook.

Easy Tip

If you can replace the word with “many people” or “more items,” use others.
If you can replace it with “belonging to another,” use other’s.

The Origin of Others or Other’s

The word other comes from Old English ōther, meaning “different,” “second,” or “additional.” Over time, English created different forms from this base word:

Other → singular adjective or pronoun.
Others → plural pronoun meaning additional people or things.
Other’s → possessive form created by adding an apostrophe and “s.”

The confusion started because English uses apostrophes to show possession but not to form plurals. Many learners think adding ’s always makes a word plural, but that is incorrect.

Historically, English grammar developed two clear systems:

Add s to make plural nouns (books, cars, others).
Add ’s to show possession (John’s book, the teacher’s desk, the other’s choice).

Since both forms look similar, writers sometimes mix them up. Modern grammar guides stress that apostrophes should never be used to create regular plurals.

British English vs American English Spelling

Unlike many spelling debates, others vs other’s does not change between British and American English. The rules stay the same across both styles.

However, understanding punctuation differences helps prevent mistakes.

Key Comparison

Feature	British English	American English	Example
Plural form	others	others	Others joined the meeting.
Possessive form	other’s	other’s	The other’s bag is missing.
Apostrophe rule	Same rule	Same rule	Apostrophe shows ownership only.
Pronoun usage	Same meaning	Same meaning	Others prefer a different plan.

Example Sentences

British style: Others prefer colour and flavour variations.
American style: Others prefer color and flavor variations.

Notice that only certain vocabulary changes between the two styles; the words others and other’s remain identical.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Choosing between “others” and “other’s” depends on meaning, not location or audience.

Use “others” when:

You talk about additional people or items.
You mean “the rest” or “the remaining group.”
The word acts like a plural pronoun.

Examples:

Others agreed with the idea.
Some students arrived early; others came late.

Use “other’s” when:

You show ownership.
Something belongs to another person or object.

Examples:

I read the other’s response carefully.
The other’s decision affected everyone.

Audience Based Advice

US readers expect clear punctuation rules, so avoid unnecessary apostrophes.
UK and Commonwealth readers follow the same grammatical principles.
Global readers understand simple structures best, so choose clarity over complex phrasing.

A helpful trick is to ask: “Is this plural or possessive?” That question quickly guides you toward the correct form.

Common Mistakes with Others or Other’s

Many errors come from misunderstanding apostrophes.

1. Using an apostrophe for plural

❌ Other’s are coming later.
✅ Others are coming later.

Explanation: The sentence talks about multiple people, so use the plural form.

2. Forgetting possession

❌ I liked the others opinion.
✅ I liked the other’s opinion.

Explanation: The opinion belongs to another person.

3. Confusing “others” with “other”

❌ Others car is blue.
✅ The other’s car is blue.

4. Mixing with “another”

Some writers confuse “others” with “another.”

Another = one more.
Others = more than one.

5. Overusing apostrophes

A common myth is that adding ’s makes words look more formal. In reality, unnecessary apostrophes create grammar mistakes.

Others or Other’s in Everyday Examples

Understanding real life usage helps you remember the difference.

Emails

Some team members agreed, while others suggested changes.
Please review the other’s proposal before the meeting.

News Writing

Some voters supported the policy; others opposed it strongly.
The judge considered the other’s testimony carefully.

Social Media

Some users love the update, others dislike it.
I shared the other’s artwork with credit.

Formal Writing

Researchers compared results from others in the field.
The other’s argument provided a unique perspective.

Casual Conversation

I finished early, but others needed more time.
The other’s idea sounded interesting.

Others or Other’s: Google Trends & Usage Data

Usage patterns show that others appears far more often than other’s. This makes sense because plural pronouns occur frequently in everyday communication.

Popularity by Context

Education: Students search for grammar clarification because apostrophe rules can be confusing.
Professional writing: Writers want to avoid small errors that change meaning.
Language learners: People studying English often mix plural and possessive forms.

Popularity by Country

United States: High search volume due to writing style guides and academic use.
United Kingdom: Frequent searches among students and professionals.
India, Pakistan, and other multilingual regions: Strong interest because English is widely used as a second language.

Why the Search Happens

Apostrophes confuse many writers.
Plural vs possessive rules look similar.
Spell check tools do not always catch context mistakes.

Comparison Table: Keyword Variations Side by Side

Word	Type	Meaning	Example Sentence
Other	Singular	One more or different	The other option is cheaper.
Others	Plural	Additional people or things	Others agreed with her.
Other’s	Possessive	Belonging to another	I saw the other’s answer.
Others’	Plural possessive	Belonging to many others	I respected others’ opinions.

This table shows how small punctuation changes can completely alter meaning.

FAQs

1. Is “others” always plural?

Yes. “Others” refers to more than one person or thing.

2. When should I use “other’s”?

Use it when something belongs to another person or object.

3. Can “other’s” ever mean plural?

No. Apostrophes do not create plurals.

4. What is the difference between “others” and “others’”?

Others = plural form.
Others’ = plural possessive showing ownership by many people.

5. Why do people confuse these words?

Because both look similar and the apostrophe can change meaning quickly.

6. Is there a difference between UK and US usage?

No. Grammar rules for these words remain the same.

7. How can I remember the rule easily?

If you mean “more people,” use others. If you mean “belonging to another,” use other’s.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between “others” and “other’s” becomes simple once you focus on meaning rather than spelling alone. The word “others” acts as a plural pronoun and refers to additional people or things, while “other’s” shows possession and indicates that something belongs to another person or object. The confusion often happens because apostrophes look small but change grammar significantly.

By asking yourself If you are talking about quantity or ownership, you can choose the correct form quickly. Practice with real life examples such as emails, conversations, and formal writing to build confidence.

Remember that both British and American English follow the same rules, so you do not need to adjust for regional styles. Avoid unnecessary apostrophes, keep sentences clear, and focus on meaning first.

With these simple strategies, you can write accurately and avoid one of the most common punctuation mistakes in English. Over time, correct usage will feel natural, helping you communicate ideas more clearly and confidently in any writing situation.