Introduction
As we enter the year 2023, it’s important to stay up-to-date with grammar rules, especially when it comes to possessive plurals. In this article, we will be discussing the possessive plural of business and how to use it correctly in your writing.
What is a Possessive Plural?
A possessive plural is when you show ownership of something that belongs to more than one person, group, or entity. In the case of business, it refers to the ownership of a company or organization by multiple individuals or shareholders.
Adding an Apostrophe
When making a possessive plural, you typically add an apostrophe after the “s” at the end of the word. For example, if you’re talking about a group of students and their textbooks, you would write “the students’ textbooks.”
The Possessive Plural of Business
When it comes to the possessive plural of business, things can get a bit trickier. The most commonly accepted form is to add an apostrophe after the “s” at the end of the word, like so: “the businesses’ profits.”
Using “of” Instead
However, some people prefer to use “of” instead of an apostrophe when making a possessive plural with business. For example, instead of writing “the businesses’ profits,” they would write “the profits of the businesses.”
The Debate
There is some debate over which form is correct, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and style guide rules. However, it’s important to be consistent in your writing and choose one form to stick with throughout your text.
Examples
Here are some examples to illustrate the use of the possessive plural of business:
Example 1:
“The businesses’ profits have increased this quarter.”
Example 2:
“The profits of the businesses have increased this quarter.”
Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the rules for making a possessive plural with business. For example, if the word following “business” is a singular noun, you would add an apostrophe and an “s” at the end. For example, “the business’s revenue.”
Conclusion
Now that you know more about the possessive plural of business, you can confidently use it in your writing. Remember to choose one form and be consistent throughout your text. Happy writing!
