Many people type “everybodies or everybody’s” into Google because they are unsure which one is correct. You may have seen both forms used online, in comments, emails, or even articles.
That makes the confusion worse. Apostrophes already confuse many writers, and when a word like everybody is involved, mistakes happen easily.
The main problem is simple: people mix up plural forms and possessive forms. The word everybody looks like it could become everybodies, just like somebody becomes somebodies.
But English does not always work that way. Add an apostrophe, and the meaning changes again.
This article solves that confusion clearly and fully. You will learn what everybody’s really means, why everybodies is usually wrong, and how British and American English treat this word the same way.
You will also see real-life examples, common mistakes, tables for quick comparison, and expert advice on which spelling you should use.
By the end, you will never hesitate again when choosing between everybodies or everybody’s.
Read more about;
Beak or Beek: Which Spelling Is Correct in English?
Responsibility or Responsabilty
Everybodies or Everybody’s – Quick Answer
Everybody’s is the correct and commonly accepted form.
Everybodies is almost always incorrect in modern English.
Why?
- Everybody’s = possessive form of everybody
It means something belongs to everyone.
Example:
- Everybody’s opinion matters.
- This decision is everybody’s responsibility.
- Everybodies = plural form of everybody
This form is rarely used and usually sounds wrong.
Incorrect example:
- ❌ Everybodies opinion matters.
Correct version:
- ✅ Everybody’s opinion matters.
👉 Quick rule:
If you mean ownership or belonging, use everybody’s.
The Origin of Everybodies or Everybody’s
To understand this confusion, we need to look at the history of the word everybody.
Origin of “Everybody”
- Every comes from Old English ǣfre, meaning each or all.
- Body originally referred to a person.
Over time, everybody became a singular indefinite pronoun, meaning all people as one group.
Why “Everybodies” Feels Wrong
In English, some words ending in -body or -one do not usually take plural forms:
- everybody
- somebody
- nobody
- anyone
These words are treated as singular, even though they refer to many people.
That is why English prefers:
- everybody is happy
not - everybody are happy
Because everybody is grammatically singular, the plural everybodies is unnecessary and rarely accepted.
Where the Apostrophe Comes In
The apostrophe in everybody’s shows possession, not plurality.
- everybody’s = belonging to everybody
This rule is the same across all modern English styles.
British English vs American English Spelling
Good news: there is no difference between British and American English for this keyword.
Both varieties agree completely.
Comparison Table
| Aspect | British English | American English |
| Correct form | everybody’s | everybody’s |
| Plural use | Not common | Not common |
| Apostrophe meaning | Possession | Possession |
| Grammar rule | Same | Same |
Examples (UK & US)
- Everybody’s waiting for the results.
- This is everybody’s problem.
👉 There is no acceptable situation where everybodies is preferred in either variant.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The answer depends on meaning, not location.
Use Everybody’s when:
- You mean ownership
- You mean shared responsibility
- You mean something applies to all people
Examples:
- Everybody’s fault was ignored.
- Everybody’s time is valuable.
Avoid Everybodies because:
- It looks incorrect to native readers
- It fails grammar checks
- It hurts professional writing and SEO
Audience-Based Advice
| Audience | Recommended Form |
| US readers | everybody’s |
| UK readers | everybody’s |
| Global audience | everybody’s |
| SEO content | everybody’s |
| Academic writing | everybody’s |
👉 Professional rule:
Always use everybody’s.
Common Mistakes with Everybodies or Everybody’s
Here are the most frequent errors writers make.
Mistake 1: Using “everybodies” as plural
❌ Everybodies opinion matters.
✅ Everybody’s opinion matters.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the apostrophe
❌ Everybodys job is important.
✅ Everybody’s job is important.
Mistake 3: Mixing grammar logic
❌ Everybody are responsible for everybodies mistakes.
✅ Everybody is responsible for everybody’s mistakes.
Mistake 4: Overthinking possession
If it belongs to everyone, English still uses singular possessive.
Correct:
- Everybody’s rights
Not:
- Everybodies’ rights
Everybodies or Everybody’s in Everyday Examples
Emails
- Everybody’s invited to the meeting.
- Everybody’s feedback is welcome.
News Writing
- Everybody’s attention turned to the announcement.
- The policy affects everybody’s future.
Social Media
- Everybody’s talking about this movie.
- Everybody’s excited for the weekend.
Formal Writing
- Everybody’s responsibility must be clearly defined.
- Everybody’s contribution was acknowledged.
👉 Notice: everybodies never appears in professional contexts.
Everybodies or Everybody’s – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows a clear pattern.
Popularity Insights
- “Everybody’s” is searched far more often
- “Everybodies” appears mainly as a spelling mistake
- English learners search this keyword frequently
By Country
| Country | Common Search |
| United States | everybody’s |
| United Kingdom | everybody’s |
| Canada | everybody’s |
| Australia | everybody’s |
| India & Pakistan | everybodies or everybody’s (confusion-based) |
Context of Searches
People search this keyword when:
- Writing essays
- Creating websites
- Posting on social media
- Learning English grammar
👉 This shows strong educational intent, not alternative spelling acceptance.
Comparison Table: Everybodies vs Everybody’s
| Feature | Everybodies | Everybody’s |
| Correct English | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Meaning | Intended plural | Possession |
| Grammar accepted | ❌ Rare | ✅ Standard |
| Used by natives | ❌ Almost never | ✅ Always |
| SEO safe | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is “everybodies” ever correct?
Very rarely. In modern English, it is almost always incorrect.
2. Why does everybody’s use an apostrophe?
The apostrophe shows possession, not plurality.
3. Is everybody singular or plural?
Grammatically singular, meaning many people as one group.
4. Can I say “everybodies’ opinions”?
No. Correct form is everybody’s opinions.
5. Do British and American English differ here?
No. Both use everybody’s.
6. Why do people still write “everybodies”?
Because they confuse plural rules with possessive rules.
7. What is the safest choice in writing?
Always use everybody’s.
Conclusion
The confusion between everybodies or everybody’s comes from a simple misunderstanding of English grammar. While everybody refers to many people, it is treated as a singular word.
Because of this, it does not normally take a plural form. That is why everybodies looks wrong and sounds unnatural to native speakers.
On the other hand, everybody’s follows a clear rule. The apostrophe shows possession. It tells us that something belongs to all people together.
This form is accepted in British English, American English, academic writing, professional emails, and online content.
If you want your writing to sound natural, correct, and professional, the choice is easy. Use everybody’s every time you mean ownership or shared responsibility. Avoid everybodies completely unless you are discussing grammar theory.
Once you remember this rule, you will never struggle with this keyword again.
I hold a degree in English Literature and Linguistics and have worked extensively on educational blogs, comparison websites, and digital learning platforms. My writing focuses on simplifying complex language rules, highlighting British vs American English differences, and providing practical examples for everyday usage.
