Apostrophe Placement in “Doctors”: Plural vs. Possessive

Plural (No Apostrophe)

Doctors = multiple physicians. “The doctors are rounding.”

Singular Possessive

Doctor’s = belonging to one doctor. “The doctor’s stethoscope.”

Plural Possessive

Doctors’ = belonging to multiple doctors. “The doctors’ lounge.”

Rule Summary

• Plural nouns ending in s → add only apostrophe (doctors’).
• Singular nouns → add ’s (doctor’s).
• Never use apostrophe for simple pluralization.

Correct: doctors (plural), doctor’s (singular possessive), doctors’ (plural possessive).