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Example Sentence: The children of the category.

What does category become in this format: The categor(ies|ies'|y's) children?

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closed as general reference by RegDwighт♦ Nov 7 '12 at 10:40

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Category remains singular and children remains plural. The correct phrase is:

The category's children...

However, it seems to me to be poor style and should be:

The children in this category...

[EDIT: Because SF's comment indicates a meaning different from the one I assumed] or

The children of this category... (if you're talking about subcategories and not youngsters)

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Of course if you want to multiply the categories, meaning "children of children" then categories' is the right word. Still, stylistically, "of category", "of categories" sounds much better. – SF. Nov 7 '12 at 10:22
You and I understand the OP's question differently. I took "children" at face value: kids. You're talking about subcategories. Your point is well taken. The question wasn't clear enough, perhaps. And, yes, if the categories are multiplied, it should be categories'. Perhaps it would be better as "the children of these categories"? – Bill Franke Nov 7 '12 at 10:40

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