Understanding the difference between “others,” “other’s,” and “others'”, though seemingly simple, is crucial for effective communication in English. These three phrases may look similar, but they serve different purposes and carry distinct meanings.
Firstly, “others” is a plural noun that refers to a group of people or things that are different from the speaker or the subject of the sentence. For example, “I have two friends, and I want to invite others to the party.” In this sentence, “others” indicates a group of people different from the speaker’s two friends.
Secondly, “other’s” is a possessive adjective that indicates ownership. It is used to describe something that belongs to or is associated with someone else. For instance, “I borrowed a book from my friend, and I need to return it to other’s.” Here, “other’s” is used to specify that the book belongs to someone else.
Lastly, “others'” is also a possessive adjective, but it is used to describe a group of people or things that belong to or are associated with someone else. The main difference between “other’s” and “others'” is that “others'” is used when the possessive form is required for a group, while “other’s” is used for an individual. For example, “I need to clean up others’ mess in the classroom.” In this sentence, “others'” is used to indicate that the mess belongs to a group of people, not just one individual.
In conclusion, the difference between “others,” “other’s,” and “others'” lies in their usage and meaning. “Others” is a plural noun, “other’s” is a possessive adjective for an individual, and “others'” is a possessive adjective for a group. Being aware of these differences will help you communicate more effectively and avoid confusion in your writing and speech.
