“Boys” and “boy’s” sound exactly the same, but they’re spelled differently and have different meanings. These two words are classic homophones — words that sound alike but are used differently in grammar.

This article will teach you the difference between the plural “boys” and the possessive “boy’s,” show you real examples, and help you master their correct usage with a quick interactive quiz.

What Does “Boys” Mean?

“Boys” is the plural form of the word “boy.” It refers to two or more male children or young males.

Examples:

• “The boys are playing soccer in the park.”
• “We invited all the boys from class.”

What Does “Boy’s” Mean?

“Boy’s” is the possessive form of “boy.” It shows that something belongs to one boy.

Examples:

• “That is the boy’s backpack.” (The backpack belongs to the boy)
• “I saw the boy’s name on the trophy.”

Key Differences: Boys vs Boy’s

Form	Type	Usage	Example
Boys	Plural noun	Refers to more than one boy	“The boys are playing.”
Boy’s	Possessive noun	Shows something belongs to one boy	“That is the boy’s ball.”

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Writing “boys” when showing possession: “The boys bike” → should be “boy’s.”
• ❌ Writing “boy’s” when talking about more than one boy: “The boy’s are here” → should be “boys.”
• ✅ Use apostrophes only for possession, not for plurals!

Easy Tricks to Remember

• 👬 Boys = plural (more than one boy)
• 🎒 Boy’s = possessive (something the boy owns)
• 🧠 Tip: If you can say “belongs to the boy,” use the apostrophe (boy’s).

Quick Practice Exercise

Select the correct word for each sentence:

1. The --Choose-- boys boy’s backpacks were all lined up outside.
2. That is the --Choose-- boys boy’s favorite toy.
3. I met the --Choose-- boys boy’s parents at the event.
4. The --Choose-- boys boy’s soccer ball was stuck in the tree.

Check Answers

Bonus Resources

• Explore more homophones on AulaPlanet → Full category
• Cambridge Dictionary: Definition of “boys”
• Cambridge Grammar: How to use the possessive ’s

Conclusion

Even though “boys” and “boy’s” sound the same, their meanings are completely different. Use “boys” when referring to more than one boy, and “boy’s” to show that something belongs to one boy.

📲 Take the quiz, explore more homophones, and keep practicing with AulaPlanet!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)