classmates's

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "classmates" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the people one studies with in a class or group, typically at the same school or college. For example: "My classmates and I worked together on our group project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He plays Walter Black, CEO of a toy manufacturer, married to Meredith (Foster, acting too), with two sons: Porter, a nervy 17-year-old (Anton Yelchin) who runs an implausibly lucrative business ghosting classmates's homework; the other a standard-issue moppet, forever chirping all-too-apt naïveities.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ruelas told KCEN that he's more concerned about his classmate's health than his suspension.

Independent

It's not your very, very short classmate's fault that he/she is smaller than you.

WikiHow

That's a lot to see your high school classmate's backyard tomato plant.

The New York Times

It's not so easy to gaze into a classmate's eyes when you're sixteen.

The New Yorker

The classmate's mother, however, was horrified.

The New York Times

That fall, we egged a classmate's home.

The New York Times

But between manicures and later putting on their gowns, many detoured to their classmate's wake.

The New York Times

Include a quote from the article and one classmate's opinion in your response.

The New York Times

With a disconcertingly casual expression, their teacher hits the classmate's feet repeatedly with a stick.

The New York Times

Following her classmate's lead, she chose AuthorHouse and bought one of the lower-cost packages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid double possessives like "classmates's". Opt for clearer alternatives like "classmates'" or "belonging to a classmate" for better readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Many writers incorrectly use "classmates's" thinking it denotes possession for multiple classmates. Instead, use "classmates'" which is the standard plural possessive form. For example, "the classmates' project" is correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "classmates's" is intended as a possessive noun phrase, aiming to show ownership or association. However, this form is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Instead, Ludwig suggests using "classmates'" (plural possessive) or "classmate's" (singular possessive), depending on the context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "classmates's" attempts to show possession, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig, standard English offers clearer and correct alternatives such as "classmates'" for plural possession or "classmate's" for singular possession. Given the rare occurrence and the presence of more grammatically sound options, it's advisable to avoid "classmates's" in both formal and informal writing to maintain clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

classmate's

Singular possessive form; use when referring to a single classmate.

classmates'

Plural possessive form; use when referring to something belonging to multiple classmates.

the classmates' item

Another way to express plural possessive

belonging to classmates

Rephrasing to clearly indicate possession without using the possessive form.

of a classmate

Utilizes "of" to denote possession in a clearer, grammatically sound way.

property of classmates

More explicit phrasing indicating ownership by classmates.

the possession of the classmate

Indicates a singular possessive form.

work of a classmate

Suggests the creation by a classmate.

possession of classmates

Formal way to talk about the ownership of classmates.

item owned by classmates

Explicitly specifies an item being the possession of classmates.

FAQs

How do I properly show possession for multiple classmates?

Use the plural possessive form "classmates'" to correctly indicate that something belongs to more than one classmate. For example, "the "classmates' project"".

What is the difference between "classmate's" and "classmates'"?

"Classmate's" refers to something belonging to a single classmate, while "classmates'" indicates possession by multiple classmates. Avoid "classmates's" as it is grammatically incorrect. For example, "classmate's book" versus "classmates' books".

When should I use a phrase like "belonging to classmates"?

Use "belonging to classmates" when you want to avoid possessive forms altogether or when the possessive would sound awkward. For example, instead of "the classmates' shared workspace", you might say "the workspace "belonging to classmates"".

Is "classmates's" ever correct?

No, "classmates's" is generally considered a grammatical error in standard English. It attempts to create a double possessive, which is not a recognized form. Always use either "classmate's" (singular) or "classmates'" (plural).