Choosing the correct form depends on whether you are discussing one author or multiple authors. Use “author’s” for singular possession and “authors'” for plural possession.
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When Should You Use “Author’s”?
A possessive noun shows ownership or belonging. It tells us who something belongs to. For example, in the phrase “the car’s engine,” “car’s” is a possessive noun, showing that the engine belongs to the car.
To form the possessive form of a singular noun, like “author,” you simply add an apostrophe and an “s.” This indicates that something belongs to that singular noun.
Here’s an example:
Correct: The author’s book is a bestseller.
Incorrect: The authors’ book is a bestseller. (This is incorrect because “author” is singular.)
In the correct sentence, “author’s” shows that the book belongs to a single author. Here’s a list of examples using “author’s” in different contexts:
An author’s perspective can greatly influence the interpretation of a story.
Readers appreciate an author’s ability to create relatable characters.
In an author’s biography, personal experiences often shape their writing style.
Many writers find that an author’s voice is crucial to engaging readers.
An author’s dedication to research enhances the credibility of their work.
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When Do I Use “Authors’?”
Possessive plural nouns show ownership or belonging to multiple people or things. They simply tell us who or what something belongs to.
However, to form the possessive form of a plural noun, like “authors,” you generally add only an apostrophe to show that something belongs to those multiple people or things.
Let’s use the same set of examples we use for a possessive noun:
Correct: The authors’ book is a bestseller.
Incorrect: The author’s’ book is a bestseller.
“The author’s’ book is a bestseller” is incorrect because “authors” is plural. But In the correct sentence, “authors'” shows that the book belongs to multiple authors.
Examples of using “authors'” in a sentence:
The authors’ research findings were published in a leading scientific journal.
In their book, the authors’ unique perspectives on climate change are thoroughly explored.
The authors’ collaboration resulted in a groundbreaking study on social behaviors.
During the conference, the authors’ backgrounds give the discussion value.
The authors’ dedication to their craft is evident in every chapter of the novel.
So, when you have a plural noun that ends in “s,” you usually just add an apostrophe to make it possessive. Some plural nouns don’t end in “s.”
In these cases, you’ll need to add both an apostrophe and an “s” to form the possessive.
For example:
Children’s books
Men’s shoes
Women’s Clothing