When it comes to grammar, apostrophes can be a tricky subject. One common area of confusion is when to use apostrophes with the word “week.” Is it “weeks,” “week’s,” or “weeks’?” The answer depends on the context and intended meaning of the sentence.
Generally, “weeks” is used to refer to the plural of “week,” while “week’s” is used to indicate possession or a singular time unit. Meanwhile, “weeks'” is used to indicate possession in a plural sense. However, there are some exceptions and nuances to consider when using these terms, which we will explore in more detail below.
Weeks vs. Week’s vs. Weeks’
Meaning
Weeks is the plural form of week. It refers to more than one week. For example, “I will be on vacation for three weeks.”
Week’s is the possessive form of Week. It is used to indicate something that belongs to a singular week. For example, “I will be traveling in June, which is my favorite week’s weather.”
Weeks’ is the plural possessive form of week. It is used to indicate something that belongs to multiple weeks. For example, “The company’s profits have increased over the past six weeks’ sales.”
Usage Differences
It is important to use the correct form when writing or speaking. Here are some examples:
| Form | Example |
| weeks | “I will be on vacation for three weeks.” |
| week’s | “I will be traveling in June, which is my favorite week’s weather.” |
| weeks’ | “The company’s profits have increased over the past six weeks’ sales.” |
- Use weeks when referring to more than one week.
- Use week’s when referring to something that belongs to a singular week.
- Use weeks’ when referring to something that belongs to multiple weeks.
Using the correct form not only ensures grammatical accuracy but also helps to convey the intended meaning clearly and effectively.
Common Mistakes
Examples of Incorrect Usage
It’s easy to make mistakes when using possessive forms of “week.” Here are some common examples of incorrect usage:
- Using “week’s” instead of “weeks'” to indicate a period of time that includes multiple weeks. For example, “one week’s notice” should be “one weeks’ notice.”
- Using “weeks” instead of “week’s” to indicate a single week. For example, “I’ll be back in two weeks” should be “I’ll be back in two week’s time.”
- Using “week” instead of “weeks” to indicate multiple weeks. For example, “I’ll be away for a week” should be “I’ll be away for two weeks.”
These mistakes may seem small, but they can make your writing look unprofessional. Always double-check your possessive forms of “week” to avoid these errors.
Correct Usage
Examples of Correct Usage
When it comes to using weeks’, week’s, or weeks, it’s important to understand the context in which each is used. Here are some examples of correct usage:
- weeks is used for the plural of week. For example, “I have been working here for six weeks.”
- week’s is used with a singular time unit. For example, “I will be back in a week’s time.”
- weeks’ is used in compound time expressions. For example, “We have been away for three weeks’ time.”
It’s important to note that the apostrophe in week’s and weeks’ indicates possession. For example, “In a week’s time, I will have completed my project.”
Another example of correct usage is when using weeks’ in a plural possessive form. For instance, “We have a backlog of six weeks’ worth of work.”
Exceptions
Special Cases of Usage
While the general rule for using apostrophes with time expressions is to place it before the “s” for singular and after the “s” for plural, there are a few special cases where this rule does not apply. One such case is when using decades or centuries as time expressions.
In this case, the apostrophe is placed before the “s” regardless of whether it is singular or plural. For example, “the 1960s’ fashion” and “the 1800s’ literature.”
Another exception is when using abbreviations for time expressions. In this case, the apostrophe is placed after the abbreviation, regardless of whether it is singular or plural. For example, “I will be back in 2 hrs’ time” and “the meeting will start in 5 mins’ time.”
When using the possessive form of “week” to indicate a duration of time, the apostrophe is placed after the “s.”
For example, “a three weeks’ vacation” and “two years’ worth of savings.” It is also important to note that some style guides may have their own rules for using apostrophes with time expressions.
It is best to consult the specific style guide being used for guidance in these cases.
Conclusion
Understanding the correct usage of weeks’, week’s, and weeks is an important aspect of writing. The difference between these words is subtle but crucial, as it can affect the meaning of a sentence.
Remember that week’s is used when referring to a singular time unit, while weeks’ is used when referring to a plural time unit. weeks is used when referring to the plural of week in general.
It’s important to note that the placement of the apostrophe is also significant. In the case of weeks’, the apostrophe comes after the “s” because it’s a plural possessive form, while in the case of week’s, the apostrophe comes before the “s” because it’s a singular possessive form.