02 May

People’s Or Peoples?: Which Is Correct (Answered)

Which Is Correct, People’s Or Peoples?

Etymology: people’s or peoples

While considering the history /etymology of the word people, we come to know that the word “people” (noun), meaning humans /persons, is derived from Anglo-French “peple,” old French “pople,” and from Latin “Populus” so basically it is a noun used to refer to a collection of a body of citizens (when used as a singular) or to more than one person (when used as a plural).

Use of word PEOPLE:

The word people refer to a group of human beings, but it can be used as a singular noun or a plural noun depending on whether we use it as a collective noun or a plural one.

As a collective noun, people refer to a group of human beings, so it is a name of a group, i.e., a single entity. Thus, used as a singular noun.

As a plural noun, the word “people” is used as a plural form of “person,” i.e., the word people indicate more than one being. So, it can be used as plural here. Is it peoples’ or people’s?

The use of the apostrophe(‘):

According to English grammar, the apostrophe has several uses, as enlisted below: people’s or peoples

1. To show the omission of one or more letters, e.g., Hasn’t for has not or can’t for cannot or haven’t for have not.
2. To show possession, e.g., John’s book or Jake’s pen.
3. For the plural of letters or figures, e.g., Luke Perry was a famous actor in the ’90s.
4. For the plural of plural nouns which end with “s” or “z” sound, e.g., Boxes’ lid.

PEOPLE’S or PEOPLES’:

Peoples’ and people’s both can be used in English as these words are both correct but differ in their uses, so we should be aware of distinct uses of both of them to avoid misuse of either of them.

PEOPLE’S:

When people’s is used as a singular noun that is a collective noun, and it refers to a group of human beings having something in common, here “people’s” is used to show the possession of this collective noun “people’s,” i.e., apostrophe being used to show the possession e.g.

1. The people’s Republic of China.

(here, “people” is being used as a singular form, i.e., as a collective noun, so “people’s” is correct)

2. The people’s Republic of Angola.
3. Bukharan People’s Soviet Republic.
4. What policies are important for the betterment of people’s lives?

PEOPLES’:

When the word “people” is used as a plural noun, i.e., as the plural form, then its possessive form becomes “peoples’. It is a grammatical rule for the use of apostrophe the possessive noun shall fake “s'” form that’s why when used as a plural form or a plural noun “peoples'” is a correct possessive form  E.g.

1- Due to his Nazi rule, Hitler is not considered worthy of peoples’ respect and love.

2- It is the peoples’ right to have food, shelter, and health facilities in every country.

3- I think peoples’ living standards should be improved in Pakistan.

What is Incorrect, people’s or peoples? Answer.

As explained above, peoples’ and people’s both are possessive forms of the same word people. If used otherwise, i.e., if we use “people’s” as a possessive form of the plural noun “people,” it is wrong. Similarly, if use peoples’ as the possessive form of the singular noun people, it will be grammatically incorrect. Thus, they cannot be used interchangeably.

peoples’ or people’s meaning

Peoples’ or People’s Example:

The correct term to use is “people’s example.” “People’s” is the possessive form of the plural noun “people,” indicating that the example belongs to or is associated with a group of individuals. “Peoples'” is an incorrect possessive form in this context.

Peoples’ or People’s Lives:

The correct term to use is “people’s lives.” “People’s” is the possessive form of the plural noun “people,” which indicates that the lives belong to or are associated with a group of individuals. “Peoples'” is an incorrect possessive form in this context.

People’s or Peoples’ Possessive:

The correct term to use is “people’s” when referring to the possessive form of the plural noun “people.” However, “peoples'” can be used when referring to the possessive form of the word “peoples,” which is a plural noun referring to multiple groups of people or nations.

Peoples’ Meaning:

“Peoples” refers to multiple groups of people or nations, often with distinct cultures, languages, or histories. The possessive form, “peoples’,” indicates that something belongs to or is related to these groups of people or nations.

Summary:

People’s

1. Used when people are used as a singular collective noun.
2. The possessive form of collective noun.
3. As it refers to the singular entity so “‘s” can be used.

Peoples’

1. Used when people is used as a plural noun.
2. The possessive form of a plural noun.
3. Already plural form so “‘s” cannot be used and “s'” has to be used.