Somebody’s or somebodies are words that are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. Both of these words refer to a group of people, but there are some subtle differences between them that are worth exploring.
Somebody’s refers to a specific individual or a group of individuals who collectively possess something. For example, you might say, “Those jackets are somebody’s,” meaning that the jackets belong to a particular group of people. Alternatively, you might say, “Somebody’s phone is ringing,” indicating that one person in the vicinity owns a phone that is currently ringing.
Somebodies, on the other hand, usually refers to people who are influential or noteworthy in some way. For example, you might say, “The CEOs of the tech giants are the somebodies of Silicon Valley,” indicating that these individuals are highly respected and powerful in their field. Alternatively, you might say, “She’s hanging out with the somebodies tonight,” to indicate that a person is rubbing shoulders with the elite of society.
While somebody’s and somebodies can both refer to groups of people, the use of somebody’s is more common in everyday language. Somebodies is often associated with celebrity culture or high society, and can sound a bit pretentious if used excessively.
FAQs
Q: Are somebody’s and somebodies always followed by an apostrophe?
A: Yes, the possessive form of these words always requires an apostrophe.
Q: Can somebody’s and somebodies be used to refer to non-human entities?
A: No, these words are specifically used to refer to groups of people.
Q: Is there a difference between the singular and plural forms of somebody’s and somebodies?
A: Not really. The singular and plural forms of both of these words are used in the same way, depending on the context of the sentence.
Q: Can somebody’s and somebodies be used interchangeably?
A: While these words can be used interchangeably in some contexts, there are subtle differences in usage that should be observed. Somebody’s implies ownership or possession, while somebodies indicates a level of influence or importance.
Q: Is there a negative connotation to the term somebodies?
A: Not necessarily. Somebodies is usually used in a positive or neutral context, to indicate people who are respected or influential. However, it can be used ironically to refer to people who are self-important or overbearing.
In conclusion, somebody’s and somebodies are words that are encountered frequently in everyday language. While they both refer to groups of people, there are some subtle differences in usage that should be noted. Somebody’s typically refers to ownership or possession, while somebodies indicates a level of influence or importance. By understanding these subtle distinctions, you can use these terms more confidently and effectively in your own communication.