As a linguistic expert, I am well-versed in the nuances of the English language, including its grammar and the intricacies of its plural forms. The English language is rich and diverse, with many irregularities that can sometimes be a source of confusion, especially when it comes to plural forms. The word "children" is one such example of an irregular plural in English.

In English, the formation of plurals typically involves adding an 's' or 'es' to the end of a word, depending on the word's ending and whether it ends in a sibilant sound, like 's', 'z', 'sh', 'ch', or 'x'. However, not all words follow this rule, and "children" is one of the irregular plurals that do not conform to the standard pattern. The singular form of "child" becomes "children" in the plural, without the addition of an 's' or 'es'. This is an example of a suppletive form, where the plural is formed by a completely different word rather than a simple suffix.

The possessive form of "children" is also irregular. In English, the possessive form is generally formed by adding an apostrophe followed by an 's' (e.g., "the cat's toy"), but for plural nouns that already end in 's', the possessive is formed by just adding an apostrophe (e.g., "the cats' toys"). However, with "children," the possessive form is "children's," which is an exception to this rule.

On the other hand, the word "parents" is a regular plural. It is formed by adding an 's' to the singular form "parent." The possessive form of "parents" follows the standard rule for plurals ending in 's', which is to add an apostrophe at the end (e.g., "parents' house").

It is important to note that the use of plurals and possessives in English is governed by a set of rules, but there are many exceptions to these rules, and "children" and "parents" are just two examples. Understanding these irregularities is crucial for mastering the language and ensuring clear and effective communication.

In conclusion, the plural form of "child" is "children," and the possessive form is "children's." The plural of "parent" is "parents," and the possessive form is "parents'." These forms highlight the irregularities in English grammar that make the language both challenging and fascinating to learn.

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Children is an irregular plural, not a regular one. Therefore, the suffix is 's , and the possessive form is children's. ... Parents is a regular plural, so the possessive suffix is simply ' . That means parents' is correct.Sep 20, 2013read more >>