Mastering Grammar: Sisters vs. Sisters’

Determining when to use ldquo;sistersrdquo; and when to use ldquo;sistersrsquo;rdquo; can be a common point of confusion in English grammar. In this article, wersquo;ll explore the differences and nuances to ensure you make the right choice for clarity and precision in your writing.

Understanding Possessive Forms

In the English language, possessive forms are used to indicate ownership or association. The form you choose depends on the number of sisters you are referring to. Letrsquo;s delve into the details.

Single Sister: ldquo;sisterrsquo;rdquo;

When you are referring to something that belongs to one sister, use the singular possessive form ldquo;sisterrsquo;rdquo;. For example:

ldquo;This is my sisterrsquo;s car.rdquo; ldquo;These books are her sisterrsquo;s.rdquo;

It is important to note that in this case, the sister is singular, and the object being referred to might be singular or plural, as in the first example.

Multiple Sisters: ldquo;sistersrsquo;rdquo;

When multiple sisters share something, you use the plural possessive form ldquo;sistersrsquo;rdquo;. For example:

ldquo;This apartment is my sistersrsquo;.rdquo; ldquo;Her sistersrsquo; hair is longer than her own.rdquo; ldquo;These suitcases are my sistersrsquo;.rdquo;

Here, you are referring to more than one sister, and the object can be singular or plural, as shown in the examples.

Usage in Sentences

Letrsquo;s look at some sentence examples to further clarify:

ldquo;Her sisterrsquo;s passing was COVID-related.rdquo; (Singular) ldquo;My sisterrsquo;s dress is purple.rdquo; (Singular) ldquo;This is Irenersquo;s sisterrsquo;s dress.rdquo; (Singular) ldquo;My sisterrsquo;s boyfriendrsquo;s parents live in Munich.rdquo; (Singular) ldquo;His sistersrsquo; birthdays are all in December.rdquo; (Plural) ldquo;My sistersrsquo; names are Daphne and Shirley.rdquo; (Plural)

Each of these examples illustrates the correct usage of the singular possessive form ldquo;sisterrsquo;rdquo; and the plural possessive form ldquo;sistersrsquo;rdquo;.

Distinguishing Between ldquo;Sisterrsquo;rdquo; and ldquo;Sistersrsquo;rdquo;

The choice between ldquo;sisterrsquo;rdquo; and ldquo;sistersrsquo;rdquo; also depends on the context of the sentence:

ldquo;I told my sisterrsquo;s husband about my plans for Christmas.rdquo; (Singular) ldquo;I told my sistersrsquo; husbands about my plans for Christmas.rdquo; (Plural) ldquo;I noticed my sisterrsquo;s interest in our new swimming pool.rdquo; (Singular) ldquo;I noticed my sistersrsquo; interest in our new swimming pool.rdquo; (Plural)

In these sentences, singular vs. plural possessives are used to suit the number of people being referred to.

Conclusion

Using the correct possessive forms is crucial for clear communication in English. By understanding the difference between ldquo;sisterrsquo;rdquo; and ldquo;sistersrsquo;rdquo;, you can ensure your writing is precise and easy to understand. Whether you are writing about one sister or multiple sisters, always choose the possessive form that best fits the context of your sentence.