As a language expert with a deep understanding of English grammar and usage, I can provide a comprehensive explanation on the correct application of possessive forms in English, particularly when addressing the plural forms of nouns like "men" and "ladies."
When using possessive forms in English, it's important to distinguish between singular and plural nouns. For singular nouns, the possessive form is typically made by adding an apostrophe ('). However, the rules for plural nouns can be a bit more nuanced, especially when it comes to irregular plurals that do not end in 's'.
Let's start by clarifying the possessive form for the plural noun "men." In English, the possessive form of plural nouns that already end in 's' is made by adding an apostrophe after the 's'. This is because the 's' at the end of the word already signifies plurality, and the apostrophe indicates possession. Therefore, the correct possessive form for "men" is "men's," which would be used to indicate something that belongs to or is associated with a group of men.
For example, in the context of a clothing store, "Men's Clothing" is correct because it suggests that the clothing is intended for or belongs to men in general, not just one man. It's a way of saying that the section is dedicated to clothing for all men, not for a specific individual named Men.
The same principle applies to other plural nouns that end in 's'. For instance, "The women's department" refers to the area in a store that is dedicated to items for women, and "The children's toys" indicates toys that are suitable for children.
It's worth noting that when the plural form of a noun does not end in 's', the possessive is formed by adding an apostrophe and an 's' to the end of the word. For example, "The children's books" is correct because "children" is an irregular plural that does not end in 's', so we add both to form the possessive.
Now, let's address the question of "ladies." The plural form of "lady" is "ladies," and when we want to use it in the possessive, we follow the same rule as with "men." We add an apostrophe after the 's' to indicate possession. So, "Ladies' Lounge" would be the correct term for a space designated for women, indicating that it belongs to or is associated with the group of ladies.
In summary, the possessive form in English is used to show ownership or a close relationship between two entities. When dealing with plural nouns that end in 's', such as "men" or "ladies," the possessive is formed by adding just an apostrophe after the 's'. This rule helps to maintain grammatical consistency and clarity in written and spoken English.
It's also important to remember that the use of possessive forms can change the meaning of a sentence significantly. For example, "John's book" implies that the book belongs to John, whereas "the book of John" could simply mean a book about John or a book that John has written. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective communication in English.
In conclusion, the correct use of possessive forms in English, particularly with plural nouns like "men" and "ladies," is a matter of adding an apostrophe after the 's' at the end of the word to indicate possession. This rule ensures that our language remains clear and precise, allowing for effective communication and understanding among speakers and writers of English.

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Correct use of possession for the plural 'ladies' [closed] At a clothing store, you might see a sign saying Men's Clothing, and the possessive use of the apostrophe correctly indicates that the clothing is suited towards the group "Men" (i.e. more than one man).read more >>