“Business,” “business’s,” and “businesses” — they may sound nearly identical when spoken, but each one has a unique meaning and use. These words are often confused in both writing and speech, making them perfect examples of homophones in English.

In this post, we’ll break down their differences, show you how to use them correctly, and help you avoid common mistakes with simple examples and a quick quiz.

What Does “Business” Mean?

“Business” is a singular noun that refers to a company, enterprise, or the activity of buying and selling goods or services.

Examples:

• “She owns a small business downtown.”
• “I studied business in college.”

What Does “Business’s” Mean?

“Business’s” is the possessive form of “business.” It means something that belongs to a single business.

Examples:

• “The business’s success depends on good management.”
• “We analyzed the business’s marketing strategy.”

What Does “Businesses” Mean?

“Businesses” is the plural form of “business.” It refers to more than one company or enterprise.

Examples:

• “Many small businesses struggled during the recession.”
• “Local businesses are working together to promote sustainability.”

Key Differences: Business vs Business’s vs Businesses

Form	Type	Function	Example
Business	Singular noun	One company or industry	“Her business is growing.”
Business’s	Singular possessive noun	Ownership by one business	“The business’s logo is red.”
Businesses	Plural noun	Multiple companies	“All businesses must pay taxes.”

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Using “business’s” when talking about more than one business → should be “businesses.”
• ❌ Using “businesses” to show possession → should be “business’s.”
• ✅ Remember: Apostrophes = possession. No apostrophe = plural or singular.

Easy Tricks to Remember

• 🏢 Business = one company.
• 🔐 Business’s = something owned by one business.
• 👥 Businesses = more than one company.
• 🧠 Tip: Apostrophes NEVER make plurals — they show possession.

Quick Practice Exercise

Select the correct word for each sentence:

1. The --Choose-- business business’s businesses is located in New York.
2. Several small --Choose-- business business’s businesses joined the initiative.
3. The --Choose-- business business’s businesses plan was carefully written.
4. The --Choose-- business business’s businesses owners gathered at city hall.

Check Answers

Bonus Resources

• See more homophone tips on AulaPlanet → Full category
• Cambridge Dictionary: “Business” definition
• Wikipedia: English Possessive Forms

Conclusion

“Business,” “business’s,” and “businesses” may sound the same, but they have different grammatical functions. Knowing when to use each will make your writing clearer and more professional.

📲 Continue mastering tricky English terms with more homophones and grammar guides on AulaPlanet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)