If you’ve ever been confused about whether to use Parents’ or Parent’s, you’re in the right place!
This tiny apostrophe dilemma often trips up students, writers, and professionals alike.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly when to use Parents’ and Parent’s with clear, simple examples, so you can avoid embarrassing mistakes.
You’re writing an essay, sending an email, or creating captions for social media, this guide will help you write confidently and correctly.
By the end, you’ll master this common English challenge and impress your readers with flawless punctuation.
Parents’ or Parent’s – Quick Answer ✅
Here’s the short and simple explanation:
Parent’s
✔️ Singular
✔️ Shows belonging to one parent
Example:
- My parent’s car is outside. (car of ONE parent)
Parents’
✔️ Plural
✔️ Shows belonging to two or more parents
Example:
- The school asked for the parents’ signature. (signature from BOTH parents)
The Origin of Parents’ and Parent’s 🌍
The words come from the noun parent, meaning mother or father.
In English grammar:
- Parent + ’s = parent’s → possession (one person)
- Parents + ’ = parents’ → possession (more than one)
Apostrophes were introduced in Middle English to show ownership, and the rule has stayed the same:
- ’s → singular
- s’ → plural
The spelling differences exist only because of number (one parent vs two parents).
British English vs American English Spelling 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Good news:
Both British and American English use the same spelling and rules.
| Word | British English | American English | Notes |
| parent’s | ✔️ Used | ✔️ Used | For ONE parent |
| parents’ | ✔️ Used | ✔️ Used | For TWO+ parents |
There is no variation between the two dialects.
Which Spelling Should You Use? ✍️
✔️ Use parent’s if you mean ONE parent
Examples:
- parent’s permission
- parent’s approval
- parent’s phone
✔️ Use parents’ if you mean BOTH parents
Examples:
- parents’ meeting
- parents’ signature
- parents’ house
✔️ For general/global writing
Use parents’ when referring to families, families in school, or general information.
Common Mistakes with Parents’ or Parent’s ❌
❌ parents (no apostrophe)
Used ONLY as a plural noun:
- My parents are home.
❌ Using parent’s when talking about both parents
Wrong → Please get your parent’s permission (if you need permission from both parents)
❌ Using parents’ when referring to one parent
Wrong → My parents’ phone (if talking about your mom OR dad only)
Parents’ or Parent’s in Everyday Examples 💬
Emails
- Please send your parents’ contact numbers by tomorrow.
- I need a parent’s signature on this form.
School notes
- Parents’ meeting is on Monday.
- A parent’s presence is required for this event.
Social media
- At my parents’ house for the weekend!
- My parent’s cooking is the best.
News
- The school updated its parents’ handbook.
Parents’ or Parent’s – Google Trends & Usage Data 📊
Search data shows:
- “parents’” is searched more because it’s used in schools, emails, and forms.
- “parent’s” becomes popular in legal, medical, or personal documents.
- Countries with high searches: US, UK, Canada, India, Australia.
People search for these terms most when filling out school forms or writing official notices.
Comparison Table: Parents’ vs Parent’s 🔍
| Feature | Parent’s | Parents’ |
| Number | One parent | Two or more parents |
| Type | Singular possessive | Plural possessive |
| Example | parent’s permission | parents’ permission |
| Common use | Personal notes | School/official forms |
| Meaning | Belonging to one | Belonging to many |
FAQs – Parents’ or Parent’s ❓
1. Which is correct: parents’ or parent’s?
Both, but they mean different things.
Parent’s = one parent.
Parents’ = two parents.
2. Is parents’ plural or singular?
Plural. It means something belongs to two or more parents.
3. When do I use parent’s?
Use parent’s when talking about ONE parent.
4. Do Americans and British spell it differently?
No. The spelling rules are the same.
5. Is it “parents meeting” or “parents’ meeting”?
Correct: parents’ meeting (meeting for parents).
6. Is parents’s ever correct?
No. That form does not exist.
7. How do I show possession for one parent?
Add ’s → parent’s
Conclusion 🌟
Using parents’ or parent’s is simple once you understand the apostrophe rules. The apostrophe shows who something belongs to — one parent or more than one. Use parent’s for singular ownership and parents’ for plural ownership.
These forms appear often in school notes, emails, and everyday writing, so choosing the right one helps you write clearly and professionally.
You are a student, a parent, a teacher, or someone filling out forms, remembering this simple rule will make your writing correct and easy to understand. Now, whenever you see “parents’ or parent’s,” you’ll know exactly which one fits the sentence.
Isabella Rowan is a talented writer at lingorae.com, known for her clever wit and engaging style.
A true master of puns, she crafts playful wordplay that entertains and delights readers.
