English grammar can be tricky, especially when dealing with possessives and plurals. Words like “community’s,” “communities’,” and “communities” may look similar, but they carry distinct meanings. If you’ve ever wondered which form to use in your writing, you’re not alone. Many learners (and even native speakers) struggle with this common grammar issue.
This article will guide you through the differences between “community’s,” “communities’,” and “communities”, how to use each correctly, and provide real-world examples to help everything click.
Let’s dive into the grammar jungle and make this easy!
Understanding the Word “Community”
Before we tackle possessive forms and plural forms, let’s first define “community.”
Community (noun): a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
Examples:
- A rural community depends heavily on agriculture.
- The art community gathered to celebrate the new exhibit.
So, the word “community” on its own is singular. That means we need to learn how to change it into a plural form and how to show possession depending on the context.
The Plural of Community: “Communities”
Let’s start simple.
What is the plural form of “community”?
The community plural is “communities.”
You form the plural by changing the “-y” at the end of “community” to “-ies.”
Rule: If a noun ends in a consonant + y, change the y to i and add -es.
Examples:
- One community
- Two communities
- Several communities
Correct Usage:
- There are many communities affected by the drought.
- Communities across the country celebrated Independence Day in unique ways.
Using “Community’s”: Singular Possessive
Now, let’s say you want to show that something belongs to one community. This is when you use “community’s.”
What does “community’s” mean?
“Community’s” is the possessive form of the singular noun “community.”
You form it by adding an apostrophe + s (’s) to the end of “community.”
Examples:
- The community’s leader gave an inspiring speech.
- We must protect the community’s resources.
Usage Tip: If you can rephrase the sentence to say “of the community,” then “community’s” is the right choice.
The community’s needs = The needs of the community
Using “Communities’”: Plural Possessive
Now here’s where things can get confusing. When you’re talking about more than one community, and you want to show possession, you use “communities’” (apostrophe after the “s”).
What does “communities’” mean?
“Communities’” shows that something belongs to multiple communities.
You form it by first making “community” plural (communities), then adding an apostrophe (’).
Examples:
- The communities’ goals were outlined in the proposal.
- All the communities’ leaders met to discuss the crisis.
Usage Tip: You’re referring to more than one community and ownership at the same time.
The communities’ traditions = The traditions of the communities
Key Differences at a Glance
Here’s a handy table to break down the differences:
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| community | Singular noun | One group | This community is thriving. |
| communities | Plural noun | More than one group | Several communities are involved. |
| community’s | Singular possessive | Something belonging to one community | The community’s park is beautiful. |
| communities’ | Plural possessive | Belonging to more than one community | The communities’ projects were approved. |
Communities or Community’s: Which One to Use?
This is one of the most Googled grammar questions: Do I write “communities or community’s”?
The answer depends on what you’re trying to say:
- Use “communities” when talking about more than one group, with no possession.
- Use “community’s” when you want to show ownership by one group.
Example:
- Incorrect: The communities center is near my house.
- Correct: The community’s center is near my house.
Another example:
- Incorrect: The community’s are working together.
- Correct: The communities are working together.
Apostrophe Rules Refresher
Here are some quick apostrophe rules that apply to words like “community.”
- Add ’s to make a singular noun possessive.
- Add ’ after the “s” of a plural noun to show shared ownership.
Possessive Nouns Examples:
| Singular Noun | Singular Possessive | Plural Noun | Plural Possessive |
| child | child’s | children | children’s |
| city | city’s | cities | cities’ |
| community | community’s | communities | communities’ |
Real-World Examples
Sometimes the best way to understand grammar is by seeing it in action. Check out how these forms appear in everyday sentences.
Examples with “community’s”:
- Olivia praised the community’s efforts to go green.
- The community’s annual fair drew a huge crowd.
Examples with “communities’”:
- The communities’ agreement led to a shared water system.
- The state honored all the communities’ heroes on Veterans Day.
Examples with “communities”:
- Rural communities often face different challenges than urban ones.
- The initiative is supported by many local communities.
Common Grammar Mistakes with “Community”
Here are some frequent slip-ups and how to fix them:
- Mixing up singular and plural forms
- Wrong: The community are planning the event.
- Right: The community is planning the event.
- Misplacing the apostrophe
- Wrong: The communities’s needs are great.
- Right: The communities’ needs are great.
- Using a plural when a possessive is needed
- Wrong: We value the communities input.
- Right: We value the community’s input.
How to Remember the Difference Between Community’s and Communities’
Here’s a simple trick:
- If you can replace it with “of the community”, use community’s.
- If you can replace it with “of the communities”, use communities’.
- If you’re just talking about more than one group, use communities.
Communities’ or Community’s in Business and Government
In professional communication, especially in public administration and nonprofits, using the correct form matters.
Examples:
- The community’s trust in the government must be earned.
- Different communities’ concerns must be addressed.
A single misplaced apostrophe can affect credibility. For instance, writing “communitys” (which is not a word) on a public sign may lead to confusion or even mockery.
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far, congrats! You now know the difference between “community’s,” “communities’,” and “communities.” You understand how to form the community plural, when to use community’s vs. communities’, and how to avoid common grammar mistakes.
Let’s recap:
- Community = one group
- Communities = multiple groups
- Community’s = something belongs to one community
- Communities’ = something belongs to multiple communities
Use the chart, examples, and tricks in this guide whenever you’re in doubt. Over time, the correct form will start to feel natural.
Grammar doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, when you break it down like this, it’s pretty straightforward.
So go ahead, write with confidence. Whether you’re drafting a report for your community’s town hall or celebrating different communities’ festivals, now you know how to get it right!
