Nobody’s or Nobodies: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Correct?

English learners and even native speakers often get confused by “nobody’s” or “nobodies.” At first glance, they look almost the same, but they mean very different things.

One small apostrophe can completely change the meaning of a sentence. That’s why people frequently search for nobody’s or nobodies—to avoid grammar mistakes in writing, emails, exams, and professional content.

The confusion usually comes from not knowing whether the word is showing possession or referring to more than one person. Is nobody’s fault correct? What about they are nobodies? Both forms are correct—but only in the right context.

Using the wrong one can make your sentence sound awkward or incorrect, especially in formal writing.

This article clears up the confusion once and for all. You’ll get a quick answer, simple rules, real-life examples, and practical advice on which spelling to use.

By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use nobody’s and when nobodies is the better choice—without second-guessing yourself.

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Nobody’s or Nobodies – Quick Answer

Nobody’s = possessive form of nobody (shows ownership or responsibility).
Nobodies = plural noun (means unimportant or unknown people).

Examples:

• It was nobody’s fault. ✅
• They felt like nobodies in a big city. ✅

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The Origin of Nobody’s or Nobodies

The word nobody comes from Middle English, meaning “no person.” Over time, English developed two common grammatical forms from it:

• Nobody’s → formed by adding an apostrophe + s to show possession.
• Nobodies → formed by adding -ies to make the word plural.

The spelling difference exists because English uses apostrophes for possession, not for plural forms. This rule applies to many words, but it often confuses writers when the base word already ends in -y.

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British English vs American English Spelling

There is no spelling difference between British and American English for this keyword. Both follow the same grammar rules.

Form	British English	American English	Meaning
nobody’s	nobody’s	nobody’s	Possessive
nobodies	nobodies	nobodies	Plural noun

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Which Spelling Should You Use?

Use nobody’s when talking about ownership, blame, or responsibility.
Use nobodies when referring to multiple insignificant or unknown people.

Audience advice:

• US audience: Follow standard grammar rules.
• UK/Commonwealth: Same usage applies.
• Global audience: Use the form that matches your sentence meaning clearly.
• Read Also.Hobbie vs Hobby Explained Simply

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Common Mistakes with Nobody’s or Nobodies

❌ Nobody’s are invited to the meeting.
✅ Nobodies are invited to the meeting.

❌ They are all nobody’s.
✅ They are all nobodies.

❌ This is nobodies fault.
✅ This is nobody’s fault.

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Nobody’s or Nobodies in Everyday Examples

Emails:

• This delay is nobody’s responsibility.

News:

• The film shows how nobodies can become heroes.

Social Media:

• Stop treating people like nobodies.

Formal Writing:

• The error was nobody’s doing.

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Nobody’s or Nobodies – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search data shows that “nobody’s fault” is far more common than “nobodies”, especially in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The possessive form is used more often in daily conversation, while nobodies appears mainly in opinion pieces, stories, and social commentary.

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Comparison Table: Nobody’s vs Nobodies

Feature	Nobody’s	Nobodies
Grammar role	Possessive	Plural noun
Apostrophe	Yes	No
Meaning	Ownership or blame	Multiple unknown people
Example	Nobody’s problem	They are nobodies

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FAQs

1. Is “nobody’s” always correct?
No. Use it only for possession.

2. Is “nobodies” a real word?
Yes. It is the plural form of nobody.

3. Can I use “nobody’s” for people?
Only to show ownership, not plurality.

4. Does British English use a different form?
No. Both varieties use the same rules.

5. Which form is more common?
“Nobody’s” is more common in everyday speech.

6. Is “nobodys” correct?
No. It is always incorrect.

7. How do I remember the difference?
Apostrophe = possession. No apostrophe = plural.

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Conclusion

Understanding the difference between nobody’s or nobodies is simple once you know the rule. The apostrophe in nobody’s always signals possession or responsibility, while nobodies refers to more than one unimportant or unknown person. They are not interchangeable, and using the wrong form can change your meaning completely.

For clear and professional writing, always pause and ask: Am I showing ownership, or am I talking about multiple people? If it’s ownership, choose nobody’s. If it’s plural, choose nobodies. This small habit can instantly improve your grammar, especially in emails, articles, and formal documents.

By mastering this distinction, you avoid a very common English mistake and write with more confidence. Remember—one apostrophe makes all the difference.