Is it Kid's World or Kids' World?

Question

Hi,Recently I got into an argument about how to name an area for kids.My suggestion was Kid's World, with a singular apostrophe because I view it as a collective. But someone said it should be Kids' World. Can someone help? It will be helpful if anyone can advise me on the actual grammar rules that dictate the usage. thank you.

Ivanhr · Accepted Answer

I believe they're both fine. I can't be certain about the actual grammar behind it but to me they might belong to the category of generic nouns, for instance, you could say either "in the interest of the child (generic "child" representing all children) or "in the interest of children". They basically mean the same thing with possibly a difference in emphasis.

LouiseT · Answer

I think it should be Kids' World.

For the possessive we add 's to singular nouns and just the apostrophe to plural nouns.

This is an area for kids - plural - so it would be the kids' area.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymouswith a singular apostrophe because I view it as a collective.

I don't follow this reasoning.

I would accept "Kids' World", the plural possessive, or "Kids World", the compound noun form.

CJ

Ivanhr · Answer

Hi guys

Would anyone be so kind to explain why it's possible to say "man's world" but not "kid's world"?

LouiseT · Answer

Hello Ivanhr

This follows the standard rule. The noun "man" is singular so we add apostrophe and "s" to the end. If the area was for one "kid" then it is fine to say kid's world. However the original post said that is was an area for kids (plural) so it is kids' world.

I hope this is clear.

Ivanhr · Answer

Are you saying that "a man's world" is just an exception? And what about all those instances of "kid's bikes" that you can find on the Internet? Are they all wrong?

Sorry for pressing the issue but, to me, "kid's bikes" simpy means "bikes for kids".

LouiseT · Answer

IvanhrAre you saying that "a man's world" is just an exception?

No it is not an exception it follows the rule. For the possessive we add 's to singular nouns and just the apostrophe to plural nouns. "Man" is a singular noun.

Ivanhrnd what about all those instances of "kid's bikes" that you can find on the Internet? Are they all wrong?

Without looking at all those instances individually I could not comment on whether the punctuation used is correct or not. I do not really want to put that sort of time into this question.

I learned this punctuation rule when I was at school. It was reinforced when I did my teacher training. It is the rule in my books on grammar and punctuation. I have always used it. If you want to do it differently then please go ahead. I don't expect that anyone will mind.

Ivanhr · Answer

LouiseT For the possessive we add 's to singular nouns and just the apostrophe to plural nouns. "Man" is a singular noun

Louise, thank you for your time. I wasn't really asking about how to form a possesive. For instance on this page http://www.pro-lite.net/?option=com_content&task=view&id=114&Itemid=55 you will find both "kid's bikes" and "a children's bike". It seems that they accept both versions equally as I do.

LouiseT · Answer

Yes they do say Kid's bikes as a heading.

They also have children's bikes. The rule that I gave you is the standard rule. As always in English there are exceptions to these rules. With possessive apostrophes two of them (there are 4 that I know of) are:-

1, When the plural doesn't end in s, add an apostrophe followed by an s.

The men's car
The children's bikes
The mice's lack of eyesight.

2. Names ending in s should be followed by s if singular and es if plural
Charles's last name was Dickens.
The Joneses' standards are not worth keeping up with

Over the last few decades people have become very confused over where to put an apostrophe and seem to put them everywhere. So you can see signs with

Free banana's
Fair deal's
No dog's

These are sometimes called greengrocer's apostrophes.

There is an excellent book called "The girls like spaghetti" I recommend this to my younger learners to show the difference in meanings between phrases with and without apostrophes.

I am going for lunch now but will be happy to answer any other questions you have later in the day.

Ivanhr · Answer

LouiseT Names ending in s should be followed by s if singular and es if plural Charles's last name was Dickens.The Joneses' standards are not worth keeping up withquote

Well, is there a particular reason why Newcastle play at "St. James' Park" rather than at "St. James's Park" (http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/SearchResults/0,,10278,00.html?freetext=st. )?

Is it yet another exception?

Is it Kid's World or Kids' World?

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