man's

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "man's" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession or association with a male individual or to refer to humanity in a general sense. Example: "The man's coat was hanging on the rack by the door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another man's, I mean".

The New Yorker

That's a man's choice".

The New York Times - Sports

It's one man's call".

The New York Times

It's every man's dream".

Independent

That's every man's fantasy".

Independent

It's a man's frock".

Independent

That's one man's opinion.

The New York Times

It's a man's world.

BBC

"It's a subconscious man's game.

The New York Times - Sports

Is it a man's, man's, man's world?

The Guardian - Music

"No man's land".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "man's" to denote possession, ensure the context is clear and avoids ambiguity. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "the man's" or "of a man" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "man's" in expressions that perpetuate gender stereotypes or exclude other genders. Opt for more inclusive language, such as "human" or "person's" when referring to traits applicable to all individuals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "man's" primarily functions as a possessive determiner, indicating that something belongs to or is associated with a man. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment of correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "man's" is a grammatically sound possessive determiner widely used across various domains. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent occurrence in English writing. While common in News & Media, Academia, and Science, usage should be mindful of inclusivity, especially when referring to general human attributes. Consider alternatives like "person's" or rewriting sentences to avoid gendered language where appropriate. High-quality sources consistently use "man's" to denote possession or association with a male individual, reinforcing its accepted status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belonging to a man

This alternative explicitly states possession by a male individual.

of a man

This uses a prepositional phrase to indicate association or origin from a man.

male's

Replaces "man" with "male", providing a more clinical or formal alternative.

human's

This suggests something belonging to humanity, when "man's" is used in a broader sense.

his

A simple possessive pronoun that can replace "man's" if the context makes it clear who "his" refers to.

a man's property

More explicit description of something belonging to a man.

a man's possession

Alternative description of something belonging to a man.

attributable to a man

Implies the origin or cause is a man.

characteristic of a man

Focuses on qualities typically associated with men.

a man's domain

Refers to an area or activity strongly associated with men.

FAQs

How do I use "man's" correctly to show possession?

Use "man's" followed by the noun that the man owns or is associated with, such as in "The "man's car"" or "the "man's opinion"". Ensure the context clearly identifies which man is being referenced.

When is it appropriate to use "man's" in a general sense?

Using "man's" to refer to humanity in general can be perceived as exclusionary. Consider using gender-neutral terms like "human", "person", or "people" for inclusivity.

What are some alternatives to "man's" to avoid gender bias?

To avoid gender bias, use alternatives such as "person's", "individual's", or rewrite the sentence to eliminate possessive pronouns altogether.

Is there a difference between "man's" and "men's"?

"Man's" indicates possession by a single male, while "men's" indicates something belonging to multiple men. For example, "man's hat" (one man) versus "men's clothing" (clothing for men).