Business’ or Business’s?
The singular possessive form of business is “business’.” E.g., “The business’ revenue increased steadily over the years.” However, the alternative possessive form “business’s” ending with an apostrophe and an ‘s’ is also accepted in many styling guides. E.g., “The business’s strategy for expansion was well-received.”
The chart below presents a concise overview of the possessive forms associated with the term business:
| Form | Examples |
| Singular | Business |
| Plural | Businesses |
| Singular possessive | Business’/ Business’s |
| Plural possessive | Businesses’ |
While the more conventional singular possessive is business’s, the alternative business’ is commonly used in informal contexts.
Let’s explore the usage of these forms in various sentences:
Singular: “The local business I started last year has become quite successful.”
Plural: “Entrepreneurs often manage multiple businesses simultaneously.”
Singular possessive: “The business’ owner implemented innovative marketing strategies.”
Plural possessive: “The businesses’ collaboration led to a mutually beneficial partnership.”
It’s worth noting that many writers opt for the alternative singular possessive form:
“The business’ expansion plans were presented at the conference.”
However, both the Chicago Manual of Style and the AP style recommend using “business’” as the singular possessive form, given that business is not a proper noun.
Business’s
The term business’ without an additional “s” is a singular possessive form of business. Although perceived as less standard, business’s is prevalent in both British and American English, particularly in casual writing.
In everyday usage, choosing between “business’” and “business’s” is largely a matter of preference.
- “In the chaotic market, the business’s resilience was truly remarkable.”
Yet, in formal writing, adhering to the guidelines of AP Style and the Chicago Manual of Style suggests using business’ as the singular possessive form.
- “The business’ success was attributed to strategic planning.”
Business’
Business’ is considered the more correct grammatical singular possessive form of business. This is the recommended version in both AP Style and the Chicago Manual of Style.
- “The business’ financial report highlighted a positive trend.”
You employ the term business’ to indicate possession by a singular business entity. However, in various instances, individuals often use business as an attributive noun, or they modify the sentence structure, thereby avoiding the use of the possessive altogether.
For instance:
- “The expansion plans of the business were presented at the shareholders’ meeting.”
Businesses
The term businesses is the standard plural form of business. Use it to discuss multiple business entities concurrently.
- “Young entrepreneurs are starting businesses at an impressive rate.”
Referencing the general concept of businesses or those within a specific industry is also possible:
- “Tech businesses play a vital role in driving innovation.”
When referring to more than one business, it’s important to ensure that the word is not possessive. In such cases, opt for the plural possessive form.
- “The businesses’ collaborative efforts resulted in industry-wide improvements.”
