Clients or Clients’ or Client’s? (Helpful Examples)

There is a key difference between singular and plural possessive forms. Most words make it very obvious, allowing you to demonstrate whether one or multiple entities own an object.

This article will look at how “client” works when the possessive form is used.

Clients or Clients’ or Client’s?

“Clients” is the plural form of “client.” You should only use it when multiple “clients” are referred to. “Client’s” is the singular possessive form, meaning one “client” owns an object. “Clients'” is the plural possessive form, referring to multiple “clients” owning an object or group of objects.

Clients or Clients' or Client's
Singular Client
Plural Clients
Singular possessive Client’s
Plural possessive Clients’

“Client” becomes “client’s” when the singular form becomes possessive. For common nouns, you simply add an apostrophe and an “s” to the end of the singular form.

“Clients” becomes “clients'” in a similar way to the plural form. However, since “clients” already ends with an “s,” you only need to include an apostrophe for the plural possessive form. “Clients’s” is very jarring and looks out of place in writing.

Client’s

“Client’s” is the simpler possessive form. You may use it when only one “client” owns an object, as it is the singular possessive form. You should only use it for one client. Any more than one client becomes the plural form again.

It’s very common for the owned object to come straight after “client’s.” This helps the reader understand where the ownership falls in the sentence.

  • That client’s name is on the system. Please, search for it before you come back to me.
  • What about if we can use one of our client’s houses? That might make things easier.

Clients’

“Clients'” is the plural possessive form, which indicates that the plural form of “clients” own an object. Usually, the object comes after the possessive form (i.e. “the clients’ requests”).

It’s quite common for the object after “clients'” to also be in the plural form. This makes it clearer to the reader that multiple “clients” own a similar group of items.

  • Our clients’ requests have been listed below. We need to address it before it’s too late.
  • You have to rely on your clients’ needs if you want to be a successful business.

Clients

“Clients” is the most basic form in this article. It is the plural form, meaning that more than one “client” is being used in the context.

Here are some examples to help you out:

  • I have too many clients. I’ll let you know when I have more time to sort you out.
  • Those clients are not with us anymore. You can leave them out of the next file.

You cannot use “clients” to own any object. It is simply referring to multiple people that you have as clients.

Conclusion

“Clients” is the plural form. It means that more than one “client” is present in your writing.

“Client’s” is the singular possessive form. This means that one “client” owns an item. This item usually comes after “client’s.”

“Clients'” is the plural possessive form. You can use this to show that multiple “clients” own an item or group of items.