Client’s, Clients’ or Clients? A Guide to Possessive Forms

In the world of writing and professional communication, understanding how to use possessive forms correctly can make a huge difference. The difference between client’s, clients’, and clients isn’t just a minor grammatical nuance; it can impact the clarity of your message. Whether you’re drafting an email, writing a proposal, or crafting a report, using these forms correctly ensures that your writing is clear and polished.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the possessive forms of “client”—client’s, clients’, and clients—and explores the scenarios in which each form should be used. Plus, we’ll dive into how these possessive forms affect everyday communication, from emails to casual messages.

The Basics: Clients vs. Client’s vs. Clients’

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s first lay out the key forms you’ll encounter:

• Clients: This is simply the plural form of “client.” It refers to more than one person or entity you work with, but it does not indicate possession.
• Client’s: This is the singular possessive form. It shows that something belongs to one client.
• Clients’: This is the plural possessive form. It shows that something belongs to multiple clients.

By understanding these three forms, you can eliminate confusion and improve your writing. Now, let’s explore these in more detail.

Clients – Plural, Non-Possessive Form

The term clients is the plural form of client and refers to more than one individual or organization you work with. It does not indicate possession of anything, simply that there are multiple clients.

For example, consider the following scenarios:

• Scenario 1: You might write an email to your team, saying: “We need to schedule a meeting with clients tomorrow to discuss the new project.”Here, you’re simply referring to multiple clients, without suggesting anything belongs to them.
• Scenario 2: A report might read: “Our clients have expressed interest in a new service package.”Again, the word clients is used to indicate more than one individual or organization, without any indication of ownership.

Key Takeaway:

Use clients when referring to more than one client in a general, non-possessive sense.

Client’s – Singular Possessive Form

Now, let’s focus on the possessive form of client’s, which is used when you are referring to something that belongs to one client. The apostrophe + “s” indicates possession.

Example 1:

In an email to your colleague, you might say: “I spoke with John’s client yesterday, and they requested an update on the proposal.” In this case, client’s refers to the single client of John, implying ownership of the request.

Example 2:

When writing a report, you could use client’s like this: “The client’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive.” Here, client’s is used to show that the feedback belongs to one particular client.

Key Takeaway:

Use client’s when talking about something that belongs to a single client.

Clients’ – Plural Possessive Form

The possessive form clients’ is used when referring to something that belongs to multiple clients. The apostrophe after the “s” indicates that possession is shared among several clients.

Example 1:

In an email, you might say: “I’ve attached the updated contract, which includes all of the clients’ requests.” Here, clients’ indicates that the requests belong to multiple clients.

Example 2:

In a meeting note, you might write: “The clients’ expectations for this project have changed since our last conversation.” Again, clients’ shows shared possession among several clients.

Key Takeaway:

Use clients’ when you’re referring to something that belongs to multiple clients.

Understanding the Singular Possessive Form: Client’s

The singular possessive form client’s is easy to understand. It’s used to show that something belongs to one client.

Example Scenario:

Let’s say you’re working with a client named Sarah, and she’s given you feedback on a recent proposal. In an email to your team, you could write: “I’ve reviewed Sarah’s client feedback, and it looks like we need to revise the section on pricing.” In this case, client’s is showing that Sarah provided the feedback.

By using client’s, you’re emphasizing the singular ownership of the feedback.

Key Takeaway:

Client’s always refers to the possessive form of a single client, indicating ownership.

Scenario 1: Singular Possessive in Action

Imagine you are working on a project for Emily’s client, and Emily needs your help. You might write an email to Emily that says: “I’ll make the changes to Emily’s client proposal today.” Here, client’s indicates that Emily is working with one client, and that client is the one for whom the proposal is being updated.

In this example, the singular form client’s reflects ownership of the proposal by one client.

Understanding the Plural Possessive Form: Clients’

The plural possessive form clients’ indicates possession when referring to multiple clients. This form is especially common in professional settings when discussing shared assets, feedback, or requests from various clients.

Example Scenario:

Let’s say you are preparing a project update for a group of clients. You might say in an email: “I’ve compiled the clients’ feedback on the design, and we need to implement the changes.” This is an example of clients’ showing shared ownership among the multiple clients who provided feedback.

Scenario 2: Plural Possessive in Action

Let’s take a different scenario where you’re organizing a consultation for a group of clients. You might write to your assistant: “Please arrange the meeting, ensuring all clients’ preferences are taken into account.” Here, clients’ shows possession, meaning the preferences belong to the multiple clients involved.

The apostrophe after the “s” indicates that more than one client is involved in the discussion.

Differentiating Clients vs. Client’s vs. Clients’: When to Use Each

It’s crucial to know when to use clients, client’s, and clients’ in order to maintain clarity. Let’s break it down:

• Clients: Use when referring to multiple clients in a non-possessive sense.
• Client’s: Use when something belongs to one client.
• Clients’: Use when something belongs to multiple clients.

Clients: Non-Possessive Plural Form

“Our clients value fast response times.”

In this sentence, you’re simply stating that there are multiple clients, and you’re not indicating possession.

Client’s: Singular Possessive Form

“Sarah’s client has requested an urgent meeting.”

Here, client’s shows that Sarah has one client, and this client is the one who requested the meeting.

Clients’: Plural Possessive Form

“We’re still waiting on the clients’ signatures to finalize the deal.”

In this case, the clients’ form indicates that the signatures belong to multiple clients.

Key Differences in the Possessive Form of “Client”

The key differences lie in the number of clients and possession:

• Client’s: Refers to possession by one client.
• Clients’: Refers to possession by multiple clients.
• Clients: Indicates multiple clients, but without possession.

Each form is used in different contexts to convey the appropriate meaning.

Bonus: 20 Points to Remember

1. Client’s is the singular possessive form.
2. Clients’ is the plural possessive form.
3. Clients refers to more than one client in a non-possessive way.
4. Always use client’s when something belongs to one client.
5. Always use clients’ when something belongs to multiple clients.
6. Use clients when talking about multiple clients without showing ownership.
7. Use client’s when referring to one client‘s feedback, request, or item.
8. Use clients’ when referring to multiple clients‘ feedback, requests, or items.
9. In emails, it’s common to write clients’ when talking about feedback from many clients.
10. Be mindful of the number of clients when choosing the possessive form.
11. Correct possessive usage reflects professionalism and attention to detail.
12. A quick way to remember: client’s = one, clients’ = multiple.
13. Incorrect possessive usage can confuse the reader.
14. Review your writing to ensure you’re using the correct form.
15. Keep your audience in mind—clarity is crucial for communication.
16. Practice using clients in plural, client’s for possession, and clients’ for shared possession.
17. Don’t confuse client’s with clients—the former shows possession, the latter does not.
18. Mastering possessive forms ensures your messages are clear and professional.
19. Use client’s when referring to one client’s work, ownership, or request.
20. Be consistent—use the correct form based on the number and possession involved.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to writing like a pro, every time. So, as you move forward with your writing projects—whether emails, proposals, or reports—remember to pay attention to these possessive forms to polish your professional communication.

Conclusion: Polished Professional Writing

Understanding the possessive forms of “client” can elevate your writing and ensure that your communication is precise. Whether you’re referring to a single client or multiple clients, or whether you’re indicating possession or not, knowing when to use client’s, clients’, or clients will help you avoid confusion.