Words like families vs family’s can be confusing! They are spelled the same, but their meanings are different. Each word is used differently in context. Understanding the context helps your writing become clearer and more accurate.
As an example, “families” refers to more than one family, while “family’s” indicates possession by one family. The term “families’” indicates possession by more than one family. If these distinctions are made, writing will become simpler and more composed.
Mistakes happen often, especially grammatical ones and those can alter the intended meaning completely. Knowing when to use each form and combination ensures clarity. After reading my guide, “families,” “family’s,” “families’” will be the least of your worries!
What is their history?
“History” refers to all past events as a unique subject, which contributes to the broader historical narrative. History encompasses every event that has transpired, systematic studying, recording, and interpreting of history.” Families come in all shapes and sizes, every family unique with its own set of customs and traditions. Here families could be vertically expanded to include parents, grandparents, aunt, cousin and so on and include friends who feel like family making it a horizontal family as well.
Family is the unit of society makes it stronger. Families have love, support, care, special bonding which are meant to be cherished. Family members experience everything together, from sad moments to happy occasions. Families are supportive to each other through every stage of life. Every memorable occasion becomes a part of the cherished family collection. That’s what holds families together.
Example:
“Every member of my family unconditionally supports each other without judgement”
“My family is competitive but supportive, they love playing games together”
What does “families” mean?
“Families” is the plural version of “family.” Using it refers to more than just one family, hence replacing the word with “Families” indicates differences in traditions, cultures, customs and a variety of love and togetherness. The term family is primarily used to describe a group that does not have boundaries. Children, grandparents, parents, children’s aunt and cousins can all, vertically add up as a family on a single tree without branches on it. This means those families can added using the word “families” who reside in various communities, take part in events and within one society.
When to use “Families”?
So when referring to differences of families when there are groups of families within a community and society.
- When referring to several families residing in a particular area or going to an event.
- In situations where traditions are discussed that are kept by different family units.
- When considering how various families function within the social sphere.
- In discussing the divisions of responsibilities in a particular area among families.
Sample Sentences:
- Parents in the area have children that go to the same school.
- Different families have different ways of doing celebrations.
- Families from around the world celebrate holidays in their own unique ways.
Special functions are conducted by schools with the entire family in attendance.
With the outbreak of COVID 19, many families began working from home which has become the new normal.
In these examples, “families” refers to more than one family. This term is used to indicate that more than one family work together, number of families and how they partake in activities together.
What is ‘Family’s’?
‘Family’s’ refers to a single family. It is the singular form of the possessive family.
When do you Use ‘Family’s’?
- To illustrate ownership by one family.
- When commenting on a family’s house, cars, or customs.
Sample Sentences:
- My family’s car is red.
- The family’s vacation was wonderful.
In this example view, ‘family’s’ reflects ownership of the car and vacation.
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What is ‘Families”?
Families’ is the plural form of family and possessive which shows ownership for multiple families.
When do you Use ‘Families’?
- With regards to items owned by more than one family.
- While discussing events, traditions, or spaces that are shared or owned by different families.
Example Sentences:
- The families’ picnic was fun.
- All the families’ houses were decorated for the holiday.
For these sentences, “families’” indicates that a number of families had a share in or are participants of the subject in question.
Comparison Table
Here’s a quick table to help you understand the differences:
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Families | More than one family | “Many families live in this neighborhood.” |
| Family’s | Something belongs to one family | “My family’s car is red.” |
| Families’ | Something belongs to multiple families | “The families’ picnic was fun.” |
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
These words are often confused and used interchangeably. Let us look at some common mistakes and their solutions.
Mistake 1: Using “families” instead of the “family’s”
- Wrong: “The families car is parked outside.”
- Right: “The family’s car is parked outside.”
🔹Explanation: The sentence refers to a singular family’s car which makes the possessive form “family’s” appropriate.
Mistake 2: Using “family’s” instead of “families’ “
- Wrong: “The family’s meeting schedules were different.”
- Right: “The families’ meeting schedules were different.”
🔹Explanation: Since there are different families involved, “families’” (plural possessive) is the correct form.
Mistake 3: The family’s is not written with an apostrophe and instead add it before the “s” in “families’”
- Wrong: “The families’s homes were far apart.”
- Right: “The families’ homes were far apart.”
🔹Explanation: The apostrophe should be after the “s” for the plural feminine possessive nouns.
Easy Tips To Remember
- When talking about more than a single family, use “families”.
- For us to use “family’s”, only one family possessing something is appropriate.
- When referring to several families, “families’” is fitting.
- Replace “family” with another singular or plural noun and check if the word still needs an apostrophe.
Time for Exercises!
Identify and fill the blanks with the correct word: ”families”, ”family’s”, and ”families’”.
- My ___ dog is small. (One family owns this dog)
- Many ___ went to the park. (More than one family)
- The ___ picnic was fun. (Picnic that belonged to many families)
- The ___ house is blue. (A single family)
- All the ___ cars were parked in a row. (Cars owned by many families)
- The ___ traditions are very important. (Traditions of one family)
- Several ___ gathered for a big celebration. (More than one family)
- The ___ vacation was exciting. (An entire family)
- The ___ houses were decorated for the holidays. (Houses of more than one family)
- The ___ event was a great success. (An event that belonged to many families)
(Answers: 1. family’s, 2. families, 3. families’, 4. family’s, 5. families’, 6. family’s, 7. families, 8. family’s, 9. families’, 10. families’)
More Practice Sentences:
You should find and remove the errors found in the below sentences.
- The families house is very big. (Correct: The family’s house is very big.)
- My familys traditions are important. (Correct: My family’s traditions are important.)
- All the family’s went on vacation together. (Correct: All the families went on vacation together.)
- Our familys dog loves to play fetch. (Correct: Our family’s dog loves to play fetch.)
- The families picnic was rained out. (Correct: The families’ picnic was rained out.)
- Their families’s homes are next to each other. (Correct: Their families’ homes are next to each other.)
- My familys car broke down on the highway. (Correct: My family’s car broke down on the highway.)
- The families vacation plans were different. (Correct: The families’ vacation plans were different.)
While using the phrases “family,” “families,” and “family’s,” people tend to use them incorrectly, but with some practice, it can be mastered.
Read More: What Does HY Mean in Text? Simple Explanation & Examples
Conclusion
At first “families,” “family’s,” and “families’” can be complex, but these have relatively simple rules! “Families” signifies more than one family, “family’s” signifies one family possesses something, whereas “families’” signifies several families possessing something. Remembering these differences will enhance your writing dramatically.
By regularly practicing, one can enable themselves to avoid making mistakes with these words and also be proud of their sentence structure. The next instance you narrate about a family or several families, you’ll know precisely what to write. Do not stop, and it will soon become habitual!
