Children’s or Childrens’? Let’s Puzzle Out Which of the Possessive Nouns is Correct

Noun plus ’s equals Possessive Noun

We use the Possessive Case showing that something belongs to someone. However, the question of where to put ’s sometimes can be baffling because of all these rules and exceptions. For instance, where do we need to put the apostrophe and an “s” in the word “children”? Is it children’s or childrens’ ?

First of all, let’s learn how to form these nouns:

A possessive noun in the singular: add ’s to the end of the word.

Example

Ukraine’s climate is perfect for me.

In case a singular noun ends with “s,” you still need to add the apostrophe and one more “s.”

Example

I forgot James’s key at home.

A possessive noun in the plural: add the apostrophe to the end of the word (do not put one more s).

Example

It is the teachers’ room.

A Possessive Case with irregular plural nouns: add ’s to the end of the word.

Example

I don’t understand women’s logic.

Children’s vs. childrens’. Where is the right choice?

When you hear somebody says ['ʧildrənz], do you expect him/her to mean childrens or children’s? The word “children” belongs to irregular plural nouns, which form the plurality in another way (not by adding -s to the end of the word). In this case, to compose the possessive, you need just to add ’s.

Example of using children’s