The correct form in standard English is else’s when you need to show possession. For example, “someone else’s book” means the book belongs to another person.
Elses is generally not used as the standard possessive form. This confusion happens because the apostrophe can be hard to hear in speech, and writers may think the word “else” needs a regular plural ending
English grammar places the possessive ending after else in phrases such as someone else, anyone else, and everyone else.
This guide explains the difference, spelling rules, common mistakes, British and American usage, everyday examples, and practical advice for clear writing.
Quick Answer
The correct form is usually else’s when you are showing possession.
Examples:
- Correct: This is someone else’s phone.
- Correct: I used everyone else’s ideas.
- Correct: Is this anyone else’s seat?
- Incorrect: This is someone elses phone.
- Incorrect: I used everyone elses ideas.
Cambridge Dictionary gives examples such as “someone else’s” to show that possession comes after else.
The basic rule is simple:
else + ’s = else’s
The apostrophe comes before the s.
What Does Else Mean?
Else means “other,” “another,” “different,” or “additional.” It commonly follows words such as someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, nobody, nothing, something, what, who, where, why, and how.
Examples:
- someone else
- anybody else
- everyone else
- nothing else
- what else
- who else
- where else
When the phrase shows possession, else’s is used.
The Origin of Elses vs Else’s
The word else has a very old history. It comes from Old English elles, meaning “otherwise,” “other,” or “in another manner.” Its history is linked to older Germanic words meaning “other.”
Over time, else became common in expressions such as:
- someone else
- something else
- nobody else
- somewhere else
- what else
English then developed possessive forms such as someone else’s and somebody else’s. Modern dictionaries specifically recognize this pattern.
The confusion with elses comes from treating else like a normal countable noun that can simply take -s. In normal modern English, that is not how the word works in phrases such as “someone else’s car.”
For example:
Someone else’s car means the car belongs to another person.
The apostrophe shows the possessive relationship.
Why Does the Apostrophe Go After Else?
English normally places the possessive ending after the complete phrase:
- someone else’s
- anyone else’s
- everyone else’s
- nobody else’s
Do not write:
- someone’s else
- anyone’s else
- everyone’s else
The correct pattern is someone else’s, not someone’s else. American Heritage also notes that when a pronoun is followed by else, the possessive is generally written with ’s following else.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no major British-American spelling difference for else’s.
Both British English and American English use the same possessive pattern:
- someone else’s
- anyone else’s
- everyone else’s
- nobody else’s
Cambridge Dictionary gives the same general grammar pattern for English usage, while Collins also identifies the possessive form as following else.
| Usage | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | someone else’s bag | someone else’s bag |
| Possession | everyone else’s opinion | everyone else’s opinion |
| Question | Who else’s phone is this? | Who else’s phone is this? |
| Negative | nobody else’s fault | nobody else’s fault |
| Incorrect spelling | someone elses | someone elses |
Examples in British English
- That is someone else’s umbrella.
- I need everyone else’s opinion.
- Nobody else’s answer was correct.
Examples in American English
- That is someone else’s backpack.
- I need everyone else’s opinion.
- Nobody else’s answer was correct.
The spelling remains the same in both varieties.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
For most writers, the answer is simple: use else’s when you mean possession.
For a US Audience
Use else’s:
That is someone else’s responsibility.
For a UK or Commonwealth Audience
Use else’s:
This must be somebody else’s property.
For a Global Audience
Use else’s in professional, academic, educational, and general online writing.
If you are unsure, remember:
Possession = else’s
Examples:
- someone else’s idea
- anyone else’s problem
- everyone else’s work
- nobody else’s decision
What About “Elses”?
You should not use elses as a replacement for else’s.
If you want to say that something belongs to another person, use the apostrophe:
someone else’s
not:
someone elses
Common Mistakes with Elses vs Else’s
1. Leaving Out the Apostrophe
Incorrect:
Someone elses car is outside.
Correct:
Someone else’s car is outside.
The apostrophe marks the possessive form.
2. Putting the Apostrophe in the Wrong Place
Incorrect:
Someone’s else car is outside.
Correct:
Someone else’s car is outside.
The possessive ending belongs after the complete phrase someone else.
3. Using Elses’
Incorrect:
Everyone elses’ opinions matter.
Correct:
Everyone else’s opinions matter.
There is no need to create a plural elses before adding the apostrophe.
4. Confusing Else’s With Else Is
In some contexts, ’s can mean is, but in phrases such as someone else’s book, it shows possession.
Compare:
- Someone else’s book = the book belongs to another person.
- Someone else is coming = another person is coming.
5. Writing Someone’s Else
This is a common word-order mistake.
Incorrect:
That is someone’s else idea.
Correct:
That is someone else’s idea.
The phrase someone else comes first, followed by the possessive ending.
Elses vs Else’s in Everyday Examples
Knowing the rule is useful, but seeing the form in real situations makes it easier to remember.
In Emails
Correct:
Please check someone else’s report before sending the final version.
Incorrect:
Please check someone elses report before sending the final version.
In News Writing
Correct:
The decision could affect everyone else’s plans.
The possessive form shows that the plans belong to the other people involved.
On Social Media
Correct:
Is this anyone else’s favorite movie?
Incorrect:
Is this anyone elses favorite movie?
Social media is informal, but standard spelling still makes the sentence clearer.
In Formal Writing
Correct:
The researcher compared the findings with everyone else’s results.
The possessive form is appropriate in academic and professional writing.
When the Noun Is Omitted
Else’s can also appear without a noun when the meaning is clear.
Examples:
- This phone is someone else’s.
- That idea is not mine; it is somebody else’s.
- My answer was different from everyone else’s.
In these sentences, the missing noun is understood from context.
Elses vs Else’s – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search interest around elses vs else’s is mainly connected with grammar correction and possessive usage. The most common reason people search for the phrase is to decide where the apostrophe should go in expressions such as someone else’s, everyone else’s, and anyone else’s.
Exact Google Trends numbers can change by date, location, and search settings, so fixed search-volume claims should not be treated as permanent facts. Current grammar references consistently show else’s as the standard possessive construction.
The topic is especially useful in:
- English-learning searches
- Grammar questions
- School assignments
- Professional writing
- Email proofreading
- Editing and proofreading
- Search queries about apostrophes
The key search intent is usually simple: Should I write “someone else’s” or “someone elses”?
The answer is someone else’s.
Elses vs Else’s Comparison Table
| Feature | Elses | Else’s |
|---|---|---|
| Apostrophe | No | Yes |
| Standard possessive form | No | Yes |
| Shows possession | No | Yes |
| Example | Someone elses car | Someone else’s car |
| Professional writing | Avoid | Correct |
| Academic writing | Avoid | Correct |
| Common everyday use | Not standard for this meaning | Very common |
| Correct pattern | — | else + ’s |
Quick Examples
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| someone elses phone | someone else’s phone |
| anyone elses opinion | anyone else’s opinion |
| everyone elses work | everyone else’s work |
| nobody elses fault | nobody else’s fault |
| somebody elses idea | somebody else’s idea |
FAQS
1. Is “else’s” correct?
Yes. Else’s is the correct possessive form in phrases such as someone else’s car and everyone else’s opinion.
2. Is “elses” correct?
Elses should not be used as the possessive form of else. If you are showing possession, write else’s.
3. Is it “someone elses” or “someone else’s”?
The correct form is someone else’s.
Example:
That is someone else’s jacket.
4. Is it “everyone elses” or “everyone else’s”?
The correct form is everyone else’s.
Example:
Everyone else’s answers were different.
5. Where does the apostrophe go in “someone else’s”?
The apostrophe goes immediately before the s:
else’s
Not:
elses
and not:
someone’s else
6. Is “someone else’s” the same in British and American English?
Yes. Both British and American English use someone else’s for this possessive construction.
7. Can “else’s” appear without a noun?
Yes.
For example:
This bag is someone else’s.
The missing noun is understood from the context.
Conclusion
The correct possessive form is else’s, with an apostrophe before the final s, as in “someone else’s book.”
The confusion happens because else follows words such as someone, anyone, and everyone, which can make writers think the word should become elses.
It does not work that way in standard English. Use else’s for ownership in emails, essays, social media, reports, and formal writing.
The practical takeaway is simple: when something belongs to another person, write someone else’s, not someone elses.
For another useful grammar comparison, consider reading our related post on [someone’s vs someone else’s] to strengthen your understanding of possessive forms.
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