Series or Series’s or Series’? (Possessive Explained)

When it comes to writing possessive words, we need to understand each noun individually. Unfortunately, there never seems to be one easy and standard rule that fits every noun. This article will look at “series” and how we can use the possessive with it.

Series or Series’s or Series’: Which Is The Correct Possessive Form?

“Series’s” is the correct singular possessive form of “series,” though many people also use “series'” in this case. We can also use “series'” as the plural possessive form, but there are no cases where you can use “series’s” as the plural possessive form.

It’s a little confusing if you can’t tell already. Unfortunately, “series” is one of those words that’s already difficult to decipher when looking at the singular and plural forms. Therefore, the rest of the forms are quite hard to figure out too.

Here are the main forms:

Singular	Series
Plural	Series’s / Series’
Singular possessive	Series
Plural possessive	Series’

For the most part, standardized rules are followed. However, the issue lies with “series” being correct as both the singular and plural of “series.” We can use “series” to talk about one “series” or multiple “series.”

In the singular possessive form, we usually add an “‘s” to the end of a word. This is common practice with “series” since “series’s” is the most common possessive form. However, some writers also use “series'” which goes against the standard expected rules.

In the plural possessive form, we usually add an apostrophe to the end of the plural word. This is true in the case of “series” and “series’.” There isn’t much difficulty with remembering this one; the only issue comes from “series” being both singular and plural.

Series

Let’s start with the basic form. “Series” works both singular and plural, and we can use it to talk about “series” in such a way.

When using “series,” it can either mean one “series” or multiple “series.” We use it when talking about those “series,” and there is no mention of the possessive form when we use these in any way.

Typically, the singular and plural forms are the easiest to use. For most words, we would add an “S” to the end when changing to the plural form. However, “series” already has the “S” in singular, so we keep the forms the same.

Here are a few ways you can see it used:

1. The series that I was watching was one of the best I’d ever seen.
2. You haven’t been watching many series lately, have you?
3. This is part of the rarest series of collectibles on the market.
4. I don’t have that series recorded yet.
5. We need to find the one series that’ll blow us all away!

“Series” is both the singular and plural form. We only ever use it when talking about one or multiple “series.”

Series’s

“Series’s” is only correct in the singular possessive form. However, we need to understand what that means before we can use it.

“Series’s” talks about one “series” owning an object. We use it only with one “series,” and it works when we want to show that the series has an object in its possession of some kind.

Of course, a “series” isn’t an animate object, and therefore it cannot own an object directly. However, we can place the object after “series’s” in a sentence to show what is owned by it.

Like most singular possessive forms, we simply add an “‘s” to the end of the word when we want to show it in this way.

Here are some examples that might be useful for you:

1. The series’s actors are better than anyone I’ve seen before.
2. This series’s landscapes are amazing!
3. My favorite series’s characters are all worth celebrating.
4. The series’s methods are unlike anything I’ve seen before.
5. This series’s ability to capture my interest is impressive.

As you can see, “series’s” works when one “series” owns an object. That object usually comes directly after “series’s” in the sentence.

Series’

“Series'” is a little broader. We can use it as both the singular and plural possessive forms, and we need to understand the differences here.

“Series'” is correct mostly as the plural possessive form. We use this form to talk about multiple “series” owning an object or group of similar objects. We can also use it occasionally as the singular possessive form, though it’s most effective when the object after it begins with an “S.”

We can use the apostrophe after “series” whenever we want to show the plural possessive form. Apostrophes are a useful way for us to do this, and it helps us to show when the possessive is correct.

Here are examples of it, with both singular and plural possessive forms:

• Singular: The series’ shots are unlike anything I’ve seen before.
• Plural: Both of the series’ characters overlapped in the newest episodes.
• Singular: My series’ goal was to impress all of its viewers.
• Plural: Many series’ actors are paid very little money for the first few episodes.
• Singular: The series’ needs outweigh those of the upcoming and unmade ones.
• Plural: All of the series’ ratings are much lower than I thought!

Quiz: Have You Mastered Series or Series’s or Series’?

Let’s finish up with a quiz to see what you’ve learned about “series” and its possessive forms. Once you’ve answered these questions, you can compare them with the following section.

1. The (A. series / B. series’s / C. series’) that I watch are great.
2. Many (A. series / B. series’s / C. series’) downfalls come when they try to rush the storyline.
3. The (A. series / B. series’s / C. series’) scenes are beautiful.
4. This (A. series / B. series’s / C. series’) is great!
5. Your (A. series / B. series’s / C. series’) ratings have just tanked.

Quiz answers

1. A
2. C
3. B or C
4. B or C
5. B or C

Final Thoughts

“Series’s” is only correct as the singular possessive form. However, “series'” is correct as both the singular and plural possessive form. You may be better off using “series'” in all cases because many writers and readers expect to see it, and it’s much easier to use.

You may also like: Dollars or Dollar’s or Dollars’? (Correct Possessive Explained)