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Michaelb Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Patient's or Patients' HELP!


Thanks in advance for your help. My question concerns a particular part of a sentence. I have seen examples but still confuse myself.

When referring to many patients should it be "each of our patient's needs" or "each of our patients' needs."

"each of our patient's needs" sounds like we have one patient and each of his needs are being met

They have more than one patient, so without each it would be "our patients' needs"

Does each not refer to their needs? Each of their(plural) needs!

For example:

What if I said "Each of our patient's wives." Wouldn't "patient's" make it possessive and sound like our patient had multiple wives? But "each of our patients' wives" sounds like we have many patients who each have a wife.

Why is "each of our patients' needs" wrong when "each of our patient's needs" sounds like they have one patient and take care of each of his needs. Seems like it shouldn't be.


Thanks,

Michael

  

Top answer

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12 Answers
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Hi michael. Thanks for joining us. Welcome to English Forums.

Phew! I thought I was the only one capapable of that kind of overkill!

As far as I can see, you have it all exactly right.

Ironically, "each of our patients' needs" and "all of our patients' needs" amount to the same thing.

The need
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Michael, welcome!
You have posed a knotty question! Here are some thoughts. When I have trouble with possessives, I think of the equivalent "of" construction. In this case, I think you mean:

the needs of (each of our patients)...
The possessive ending ('s or ') can be applied to a phrase, for eample: the (Queen of England)'s pet terriers, the (man next door)'s yellow Ford, or (
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michaelb Why is "each of our patients' needs" wrong when "each of our patient's needs" sounds like they have one patient and take care of each of his needs. Seems like it shouldn't be.
I guess I misread this. Where is the suggestion that it's wrong?

I think the difference between "needs" and "wives" is contextual, at least in the US. (Although som
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The suggestion that it's wrong didn't come from anyone here. I was told that it's wrong and came here looking for the right answer.
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So, from the first two responses, which are much appreciated, it seems as though "each of our patients' needs" is correct.

Thank you for your help!!! Glad I joined the forum.

Thanks again!!!!!
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michaelb I have seen examples but still confuse myself.
Okay, got it.

Your original explanation was so thorough and clearly successful in defending patients' that I thought you only needed confirmation.

I think there's no question it's the correct solution.
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If there are no objections by tonight, I'll go in tomorrow with a case.

Haha, that statement about overkill cracked me up! I guess I CAN get long winded sometimes.
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Haha, thanks Avangi. I apologize if I confused you but I sincerely appreciate your help.

Indeed, I needed confirmation because this was debated today at work. I thought I was right but when the objection came up, I questioned it and thought I made a mistake.
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Guys and girls, I have another question concerning this topic.

We have established that "Each of our patients' needs" is correct.

What if I take out the "of our" so that it reads, "Each patients' needs."

Does it become "Each patient's needs."

Explanations welcome !!!!
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I think it's "Each of our patients' needs" and "Each patient's needs." Taking the "of our" out, does indeed change it.

Thanks!
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