“Bodies” and “body’s” are common examples of homophones — words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings.

This can cause confusion, especially in writing. In this post, we’ll explore the difference between “bodies” and “body’s,” how to use them correctly, and how to avoid mistakes — plus a quick quiz to test your knowledge.

What Does “Bodies” Mean?

“Bodies” is the plural form of “body.” It refers to more than one physical form, either living or dead.

Examples:

• “The morgue was filled with several unidentified bodies.”
• “Athletes must take care of their bodies to perform well.”

What Does “Body’s” Mean?

“Body’s” is the possessive form of “body.” It shows that something belongs to a single body.

Examples:

• “The body’s response to the vaccine was effective.”
• “He studied the body’s nervous system in class.”

Key Differences: Bodies vs Body’s

Word	Type	Meaning	Example
Bodies	Plural noun	More than one body	“The gym was filled with people working on their bodies.”
Body’s	Possessive noun	Something that belongs to one body	“The body’s temperature dropped overnight.”

Common Mistakes

• ❌ “The body’s were buried.” → incorrect plural
• ✅ “The bodies were buried.” → correct
• ❌ “The bodies reaction was slow.” → incorrect possessive
• ✅ “The body’s reaction was slow.” → correct

Easy Tricks to Remember

• Bodies = More than one body (plural)
• Body’s = Belonging to one body (possessive)
• 🧠 Tip: The apostrophe in “body’s” shows ownership!

Quick Practice Exercise

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:

1. The human --Choose-- bodies body’s immune system is complex.
2. The morgue was filled with unidentified --Choose-- bodies body’s .
3. The --Choose-- bodies body’s reaction to the vaccine was mild.
4. Several --Choose-- bodies body’s were recovered from the accident.

Check Answers

Bonus Resources

• Explore more homophones → Browse the full category
• Coming soon: games and worksheets to practice English homophones!

Conclusion

“Bodies” and “body’s” may sound identical, but they serve very different purposes in writing. One shows quantity, the other shows possession. Understanding the difference can greatly improve your grammar and clarity.

📲 Now you know the difference — share this lesson or keep learning with more English homophones!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)