Proper Usage of ‘Week’s’ and ‘Weeks’

The English language is one of the most famous and common which is ranked as the most spoken language in the world. One of the common reasons why English is very common is because of the British Empire which lasted from 1600 till 1960.

British were the ones who introduced the Anglo Saxon Language (the ancestor of modern English) before 1100; later they made English the first official language in all colonies since then this language evolved and now is spoken all over the world. In the modern era, there are now two main types of English accents the UK accent and the USA accent.

During the evolution of the English language, many words were comprehended in the English dictionary. Many English words tend to be similar in terms of their spelling and pronunciation.

The words week’s and weeks are the perfect examples of what I have stated above. Although these words are pretty similar in terms of spelling and pronunciation, they are not the same.

The word weeks is a plural word for the week. Whereas, the word week’s is a possessive noun that demonstrates something related to that week.

This is just one difference between the words week and week’s. There is a lot to know, so stick with me till the end as I will be covering usage and the difference between the words week and week’s.

Weeks: Defining the term

The inside of a planner
Any pattern of seven consecutive days or days that follow each other is referred to as a week.

The plural form of the word week is referred to by the word weeks.

The week is known as a period of seven days that begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday. In some places, a week can be considered beginning on Monday and ending on Saturday.

Because the plural structure weeks already ends in – s, all we need to do to shape the possessive of this plural entity is add punctuation to the very end. It is not necessary to include another – s in this case.

How to pronounce the word weeks

Most of the words are pronounced differently in the US and UK accents but in this case, the word weeks is pronounced the same in both US and UK accents.

The word week is pronounced as /wiːk/ in both US and UK accents. The word weeks is pronounced the same as a week with ‘s’ at the ending.

The video below will help you to pronounce the word week which will give you a better understanding of how to pronounce the word weeks.

Video on how to pronounce the word ‘week’

How to use in weeks in a sentence

There are many ways the word weeks can be used in sentences. You must be well aware of only its correct pronunciation but must know its correct usage in sentences. Below are examples that will help you use the word weeks in your sentences.

  • “The city’s streets ally with people looking for enjoyment, and he took use of the large audience, casting 33 shows in three weeks.”
  • “It took five weeks for an important thaw to take consequences and remainders of the snow stood behind in the mountain ravines for 6 months.”
  • “They reached the game with some anxiety advancing a 6-1 mauling at the hands of the same team only two weeks earlier.”
  • “I spent many weeks writing third-person poetry about my reality, up to this point, and continue progressing in broad strokes into the future.”
  • “It was to my great miracle fortune that within 4 weeks, one of our new pairs of Green Parrots had mated which led to producing eggs, one of which was fertile.”
  • “The past three weeks have been filled with the self-obsessed, tripping Brit who generously lets us examine her journal entries.”
  • “The next few weeks Landon’s recovery advanced to the point where he had some movement in his arms and could stratagem in a wheelchair.”
  • “For several weeks, our news was overshadowed by scenes of young schoolgirls being targeted to horrific and terrible abuse as they tried to make their way to school.”
  • “Last Sunday, he raised another Scottish Cup with Celtic to add to the League title that they had already bagged five weeks earlier.”
  • “Over the past six weeks, Sam has appeared in many of the larger venues where he started out.”
  • “In 1856, after many weeks of prayer and consideration, he was converted and baptized into the membership of a Baptist church.”

The definition of the term week’s

Wooden letters spelling out "Timeline"
The term is solely applicable to living creatures and implies time or timeline with a singular noun.

The word week’s referred to as a possessive noun containing an apostrophe(s) at the end of a singular noun. It indicates time or timeline with a singular noun and can only apply to living things.

The word week’s demonstrates or reminds something about the week that is being discussed. Week’s is the singular possessive form of the word week, and in this case, we use the punctuation – s to indicate that anything belongs to the week in question.

Example of how to use week’s in a sentence

The inside of a weekly planner
The singular possessive form of the object week is week’s.

The word week’s is used in many different ways. Knowing its usage is also very important. Below is an example that will give you an idea of how can you use the week’s in your sentences.

  • “If any of you have ever noticed what postmodernism is, or what any of the additional isms are for that matter, then this week’s column is for you.”
  • “Meanwhile, England cricket authorities have delayed the travel plans of its cricketers to Pakistan for next week’s Pakistan and England ODI series.”
  • “In this week’s meeting, we hear the personal stories of four people who have been affected by the fatal illness Motor Neurone Disease.”
  • Last week’s purpose to take the situation to the bitter end at the Court of Appeal was taken at a hastily-convened meeting by just three members.”
  • “The Priests of the Parish would like to thank the Dromantine Fathers who spoke at all this week’s masses about the agenda.”
  • “This season was also remarkable for the brilliant way it would end episodes with cliffhangers that dovetailed smoothly into future week’s instalment.”
  • “The news came as the euro fought back against the last week’s dollar rise to make an additional bid for parity with the US currency.”
  • “True, Karl’s win at the previous week’s Sony Open in Hawaii was opportunistic, largely the product of Shigeki Maruyama’s inexplicable Sunday swan dive.”
  • “Her brilliant performance last two weekends deserved her this week’s UW athlete of the week.”
  • “I thought last week’s performance by Neymar was the worst I’d ever seen by a professional footballer, but he’s proving everyone wrong by surpassing everyone in tonight’s game.”
  • “Now 11, last week’s yearling filly at Doncaster was her last to make the sales ring.”

Which is correct: two weeks worth of supplies or two week’s worth of supplies?

The correct form is ‘two weeks of supplies’ as most apostrophe (‘) is usually used either as a contraction or as a possessive.

Also the word apostrophe (‘) is used with only a living thing, Thus the sentences don’t need an apostrophe (‘) as two week’s is not the owner of the supplies, therefore there is no need to add the apostrophe.  

Which one is correct: ‘by weeks end’ or ‘by week’s end?

Both week’s and weeks are valid, and you can use either one in various situations.

Generally ‘by week’s end is the perfect usage but sometimes it depends on how you see the sentences like ‘by week’s end the last word end is the emphasis on the other hand ‘by week’s end in it the week is the emphasis. One of the famous poets Shakespeare didn’t use a possessive apostrophe and yet still it was sensible to understand.

Whether you’re using the singular or plural possessive form of “week,” you’ll need to decide which word to employ.

Weeks vs. Week’s: In what way are they distinct from one another?

Although the words weeks and week’s are pretty similar in terms of pronunciation and spelling. Despite their similarities, both of them can be regarded as the same.

The table below represents the differences between ‘weeks’ and week’s, for your better understanding.

                                Weeks                               Week’s
It is the plural of weekIt is a possessive noun
It doesn’t have an apostropheIt does have an apostrophe
It can apply to living and non-living thingsIt can only apply to living things
It indicates durationIt indicates the time or timeline
Key distinctions between the words weeks and week’s.

Conclusion

  • Language Evolution:
    • English, influenced by the British Empire, evolved into a global language with distinct accents, notably UK and USA.
  • Similarity and Pronunciation:
  • Weeks – Plural Form:
    • Refers to any seven consecutive days, with its plural form denoted by ‘weeks.’
  • Weeks – Pronunciation:
    • Pronounced similarly in both US and UK accents as /wiːk/.
  • Usage in Sentences:
    • Illustrated through various sentences, showcasing versatility in expression.
  • Week’s – Possessive Form:
    • Represents a possessive noun indicating something related to a specific week, applying only to living things.
  • Week’s – Singular Possessive Pronunciation:
    • Demonstrated through examples, emphasizing correct usage.
  • Apostrophe Usage Clarification:
    • Highlighted the distinction in apostrophe use, noting it is not needed for inanimate objects like supplies.
  • ‘By Week’s End’ vs. ‘By Weeks End’:
    • Both are valid; preference depends on emphasis, with ‘by week’s end’ being a common choice.
  • Differences Summarized:
    • Presented a table outlining key distinctions between ‘weeks’ (plural) and ‘week’s’ (possessive).
  • Conclusion on Knowledge and Usage:
    • Emphasized the importance of understanding the meanings and proper usage of ‘week’ and ‘week’s’ in communication.

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