Grammar question: In the following sentence, is “groups’ needs” correct? Is the apostrophe in the right place? Since there are two groups, and we’re talking about their needs (the noun, as in requirements) it would be groups’ not group’s, right? Or does the use of the word “each” change it back to a singular usage?
Also does anyone have a link that explains the rule regarding how to use the apostrophe in the possessive if there are plural possessors?
THANKS!!
“Each” would change the possessive to “group’s” as you surmised. For more than one group, the possessive should be “groups’”. Ain’t it grand to be right?
Right, the way you wrote it made the groups singular again.
“By dividing the market into two groups (Enterprise and Personal), NDSS can take one product and cater it to each group’s needs.”
“By polling all three groups, NDSS can take one product and cater it to all relevant groups’ needs.”
I try to think about whether it’s “the group s , its needs, or the group s , their needs” when deciding on where the apostrophe goes.
Here’s a summary…scroll down for plural possessives. Usually you just add an apostrophe to the word ending in s.