Class’ or Class’s? Understanding Possessives in English

In English, possessives are often one of the trickiest aspects of grammar to master. Whether you’re writing for a professional setting, an academic environment, or just crafting an email to a colleague or friend, it’s essential to know the rules for forming possessives correctly. A common source of confusion lies in possessives like class’s and class’. Do you use class’s when showing possession, or does class’ suffice? In this article, we’ll dive deep into this topic, unpacking the rules, offering examples, and answering frequently asked questions.

The Basics of Possessives in English

Before we jump into specific examples of class’s and class’, let’s quickly refresh our understanding of possessives in English.

A possessive indicates ownership, meaning that something belongs to someone or something. In simple terms, when you want to say something is “owned” by a person, place, or thing, you use a possessive form.

For example:

• Sarah’s book (The book belongs to Sarah.)
• The dog’s collar (The collar belongs to the dog.)
• The class’s schedule (The schedule belongs to the class.)

To form a possessive, typically you add an apostrophe (’) and sometimes an s depending on whether the noun is singular or plural.

The Rule for Singular Possessives: Class’s

Let’s begin with the most straightforward case: when you’re talking about one class. In this case, the possessive form is class’s. The rule is simple: when the noun is singular, we add ’s to the end of the word.

Example Scenario: Email to a Professor

Subject: Clarification on the Class’s Project Deadline

Dear Professor Smith,

I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to clarify the class’s project deadline for this week. I believe you mentioned a possible extension, but I just want to make sure I have the correct information.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Best regards,
Emily Thompson

In this example, class’s is used to show that the project deadline belongs to the class. It’s a straightforward possessive form where class is singular, so we add ’s.

Why Is Class’s Correct Here?

The word class is singular in this context. So, following the standard rule of possessives for singular nouns, we attach an apostrophe followed by s to indicate possession. Hence, class’s is grammatically correct.

The Rule for Plural Possessives: Classes’

Now, let’s switch gears to the plural form. When you’re talking about multiple classes, the possessive form changes. For plural nouns that already end in s, you simply add an apostrophe (no extra s). This is the case for classes.

Example Scenario: Email to a Colleague

Subject: Coordination Between the Classes’ Exam Schedules

Hi Alex,

I wanted to touch base regarding the classes’ exam schedules for next week. It seems like several of the classes overlap on the same day. Could you please confirm the times for your courses so we can avoid conflicts?

Best,
Michael Ramirez

In this scenario, the word classes is plural, so we simply add an apostrophe after the s to indicate possession. The exam schedules belong to multiple classes, making classes’ the correct possessive form.

Why is Classes’ Correct Here?

Since classes is plural and already ends with s, we simply add the apostrophe after the final s to indicate possession. This is the standard way to form a plural possessive.

Is It Class’ or Class’s? The Difference Explained

The most common question people have is whether to use class’ or class’s. The answer depends on whether you’re following standard grammatical rules or a specific style guide.

• Class’s is typically used in most style guides when the noun is singular. This is the form recommended by grammar resources such as the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Class’ is used in some specific style guides like AP style. AP style drops the second s after the apostrophe for singular possessives of proper nouns.

Singular Example (Chicago Style):

• The class’s progress is impressive. (Indicates progress belonging to the class.)

Singular Example (AP Style):

• The class’ progress is impressive. (Indicates progress belonging to the class.)

Thus, the decision between class’s and class’ boils down to which style guide you’re following.

When to Use Class’s or Classes

A common mistake is mixing up class’s and classes. It’s important to remember that classes is the plural form of class. If you’re referring to more than one class, you simply use classes.

Example:

• Classes are scheduled back-to-back on Monday.

But when indicating possession, the rules are different:

• The class’s assignments are due tomorrow.
• The classes’ textbooks have arrived.

In these examples, we use class’s for singular possession and classes’ for plural possession.

How to Pronounce Class’s vs. Classes’?

One key consideration in grammar is that, although class’s and classes’ may look different on paper, they sound remarkably similar. In casual speech, the final s sound in class’s is often soft or silent, making it sound almost identical to classes’.

For example, class’s (in speech) might sound like classes’, especially when spoken quickly. However, in written English, these two forms serve distinct grammatical purposes.

AP Style: Class’ or Class’s?

If you’re following AP style, which is commonly used in journalism, you should drop the second s after the apostrophe. Therefore, in AP style, you would write class’ instead of class’s for singular possessives.

AP Style Example:

• The class’ final project is due tomorrow.

This slight change in usage is specific to AP style, and it’s important to follow the appropriate guidelines based on the writing context.

Online Classes: Class’s or Classes’?

With the rise of online education, many people are now discussing online classes or class’s and classes’.

When talking about a single online class, the possessive form is class’s:

• I’m preparing for the class’s final exam.

For multiple online classes, the plural possessive form is classes’:

• The classes’ schedules are posted on the website.

In this case, it’s all about determining whether you’re referring to one class or many.

What Is the Meaning of Class’s?

The class’s meaning refers to something that belongs to or is related to the class. It could be any noun that shows ownership, such as a class’s schedule, assignment, or project. The possessive form allows you to indicate that something is directly associated with the class.

Common Mistakes with Class’s and Class’

One common mistake is using class’ instead of class’s in singular possession. This is especially common in informal writing or when someone is unfamiliar with the AP style rules.

Another frequent error occurs when people mistakenly use classes’ for a singular class. Remember: classes’ is only for multiple classes, not a single class.

Possessives Summary Table

Noun Type	Possessive Form
Singular	Class’s
Plural	Classes’

Final Thoughts on Possessives of Class

Possessive forms like class’s and classes’ are crucial in proper English usage. Mastering them will make your writing clearer and more professional. Whether you’re referring to a class’s homework or the classes’ schedule, knowing the correct possessive form ensures that your writing maintains grammatical integrity.

So next time you’re wondering, is it class’ or class’s?, remember the basic rule: class’s for singular and classes’ for plural. Use this guide as a reference whenever you’re in doubt!