What’s the difference between Ours and Our’s?

Ours

Ours is the first person plural possessive pronoun – it replaces “our” + noun.

• Is this yours or ours?
• He found a book – is it ours?
• He can’t find his keys, but ours are on the table.
• Ours is a better idea.
• The pleasure is ours.

Our’s

Though you may see our’s written even by native speakers, it is incorrect. Ours should never have an apostrophe.

The Bottom Line

The idea that ours needs an apostrophe comes out of the fact that on virtually every other word, ‘s indicates possession, so English speakers sometimes think ours should be spelled our’s. However, this is always incorrect – ours is the only correct spelling.
 

Tags: correct spelling for, correct the spelling, correct usage, correct word spelling, english usage, english usage words, ours, plural possessive pronouns, possessive pronoun, usage of words, words and usage

Think Inc. is a leading name in the field of corporate trainings and publication of books on self management, how to keep your family happy, selling & customer service skills.