Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that when you make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use and help keep my content free. For more info, see the Disclosure Policy.
Do we say everyone’s, everyones or everyones’?
Sometimes singular and plural pronouns and apostrophes get a little confusing. This is why even native English speakers get confused with the punctuation in words like everyone, everyone’s and everyones’.
In short, everyone’s is correct. Everyones and everyones’ are not correct words and therefore shouldn’t be used.
Avoid embarrassing grammar and spelling mistakes once and for all! Never need to ask this question again with your personal grammar assistant! Download Grammarly and use it for free.
Everyone is a Singular Pronoun
It might surprise people to learn that the word everyone is not plural.
Everyone is a singular pronoun which means it refers to one person only. It doesn’t matter if there is more than one person in the room or group, “everyone” is still a singular indefinite pronoun.
Grammarians agree that the word everyone is a singular noun and takes a singular verb.
“Everyone has completed his or her homework.”
This sentence is the way we should say it, with “his or her.”
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes you will hear people from the U.K. and Ireland use the singular verb with the plural pronoun (they, theirs) and possessive adjectives (their).
According to the MacMillian British Dictionary, in informal writing and conversation, the pronouns and possessive adjectives are pluralised.
Everyone has completed their homework.
Everyone’s, Everyones or Everyones’
An apostrophe is used when everyone is in possession of something. For example, “everyone’s favorite color is blue.” In this sentence, everyone has a favorite color, which is blue.
Other Examples
- Pizza is everyone’s favourite meal.
- I collected everyone’s homework.
- Mary is everyone’s best friend.
- Everyone’s welcome to come to the ceremony.
- Everyone’s life is precious.
The reason we add an apostrophe s is that everyone is singular and can’t be pluralised (we can’t say everyones).
If we could make everyone plural with an s, then everyones’ would be acceptable.
Everyone’s as a Contraction
When we use everyone’s as a contraction, it is short for “everyone is” or “everyone has.
For example,
- “Everyone’s going to the party.”
In this sentence, everyone’s is a contracted form of “everyone is.”
- “Everyone’s got different hobbies.”
In this sentence, everyone’s is a contracted form of “everyone has.”
Everyone is an Indefinite Pronoun
Everyone is also an indefinite pronoun which means it identifies people and things in a general, non-specific way.
We are not referring to who we are talking about exactly. We use pronouns ending with -one and -body to identify people. We use pronouns ending with -thing for things.
We add an apostrophe s to the indefinite pronouns to make them possessive.
Examples of Other Indefinite Pronouns
The following examples are indefinite pronouns, like everyone.
- Everybody
- Anyone
- Anybody
- Nobody
- No one
- Nothing
- Something
- Everything
- Anything
Everyone or Every One?
The difference between everyone and every one is that:
Everyone is used to refer to all the people in a group.
Every one is used to talk about each individual person in the group.
Examples of Sentences With Everyone and Every One:
- “Every one of the students has turned in their homework.”
- “Everyone in the room was on their phone.”
- I was so grateful to see every one of my family members at my graduation ceremony.
Sometimes we use the word everybody instead of everyone.
Alternatives for Everyone
If you’re looking for a word to replace everyone, try:
- All
- All parties
- All of us
- Everybody
- Everyone
- Every person
- Each person
- Each and every one of us
- Every last one
- Every single one
- One and all
- The public
- The general public
- The people
- People everywhere
- The masses
- The whole world
- The whole lot
- The world at large
- Society
- Mankind
- Every Tom, Dick and Harry
Commonly Asked Questions
Still got questions? Let’s try and answer them!
Is Everyone’s Grammatically Correct?
Yes, everyone’s is grammatically correct. It can act as the possessive form (ownership) of contracted form (everyone is, everyone has).
Is Everyones Grammatically Correct?
No, everyones is not grammatically correct. This assumes that everyone is actually a possessive pronoun, like his or hers. Everyone is an indefinite pronoun that takes an apostrophe s (everyone’s).
Is Everyones’ Grammatically Correct?
No, everyones’ is not grammatically correct. This implies that everyone is plural. Everyone is a singular pronoun, therefore it takes an apostrophe s.
Is It “Everyone’s Life” or “Everyone’s Lives”?
It’s everyone’s life. There’s no such thing as “everyone’s lives.”
You may also be interested in: 15 Best Online English Courses Free & Paid (2022)
Pronouns and Apostrophes: Summary
In short, everyone’s is correct. Everyones’ and everyones are not correct words and shouldn’t be used.
An apostrophe is used when everyone is in possession of something. For example, “everyone’s favorite color is blue.”
We add an apostrophe s to the indefinite pronouns to make them possessive.
Everyone is also an indefinite pronoun which means it identifies people and things in a general, non-specific way.
That’s all for today! Thanks for reading!
Useful Links
- Chris’s, Chris’ or Chrises? Which is correct?
- Is it Week’s, Weeks’, or Weeks? Simple Examples and When to Use
- Canceling or Cancelling, Canceled or Cancelled? Which is Correct?
- Todays or Today’s? Simple Spelling Guide and When to Use
- Kindergarden or Kindergarten? How to Spell Correctly!
- Other’s or Others’? Clear Examples– Possessive Form
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.