If you are wondering whether “elses” or “elses” is the correct spelling, there is an important distinction to understand: neither form is normally used as a standalone English word. The standard word is else, while the possessive form is else’s when something belongs to or is associated with someone or something else.
For example, we write “someone else,” “everyone else,” and “What else?” When expressing possession, we write “someone else’s car” or “everyone else’s opinion.” Cambridge confirms that when else is used with words such as someone, everyone, or anyone to show possession, ’s is added to else.
This guide explains the difference, shows when to use else and else’s, explains why elses is usually incorrect, and gives practical examples for school, work, emails, and everyday English.
Quick Answer: Elses or Elses?
The correct forms
The spelling you normally need is:
- else — correct
- else’s — correct possessive form
- elses — generally incorrect
- elses — generally incorrect
The key point is that else does not normally become “elses” simply because it refers to more than one thing. Else is usually an adverb meaning another, different, additional, or otherwise.
Quick examples
- Is there anything else you need?
- Someone else took my seat.
- This is someone else’s responsibility.
Memory tip
Think:
else = other/additional
else’s = belonging to someone/something else
If you mean possession, use the apostrophe + s: else’s, not elses.
What Does “Else” Mean?
Definition and basic use
Else is an adverb used to mean another, different, additional, or other. It commonly appears after words such as someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, everyone, everything, something, and nothing. It can also follow what, where, who, why, and how.
Consider these examples:
- Someone else will answer the phone.
- Do you need anything else?
- What else should we discuss?
- Where else can we go?
- Who else knows about the meeting?
In each example, else adds the idea of another person, thing, place, or possibility.
Why “elses” does not work here
English does not normally pluralize else by adding -s. You do not write:
- ❌ someone elses
- ❌ what elses
- ❌ anything elses
Instead, use:
- ✅ someone else
- ✅ what else
- ✅ anything else
This is one reason learners sometimes become confused about elses and else’s. The apostrophe in else’s is not optional when it represents possession.
Key takeaway
When else means another, different, or additional, keep it as else.
When Should You Use “Else’s”?
“Else’s” shows possession
Else’s is the possessive form of else. It is used when something belongs to, is connected with, or is associated with someone or something else.
For example:
- This is someone else’s jacket.
- That was nobody else’s decision.
- Everyone else’s work was finished.
- Why should I solve someone else’s problem?
Cambridge specifically explains that when else occurs with words such as someone or everyone and possession needs to be shown, the ’s is added to else.
Notice the structure:
someone + else + ’s + noun
So:
someone else’s phone
means:
the phone belonging to someone else.
Why the apostrophe matters
Compare these sentences:
| Form | Example | Meaning |
| else | I need someone else. | Another person |
| else’s | I need someone else’s help. | Help belonging to or provided by another person |
| elses | ❌ Incorrect in standard usage | Not the normal possessive form |
The apostrophe tells the reader that the word is functioning as a possessive.
Key takeaway
Use else’s when the following noun belongs to or is connected to another person or thing.
Else vs. Else’s: The Main Difference
A simple comparison
| Feature | else | else’s |
| Main function | Means another, different, or additional | Shows possession |
| Apostrophe | No | Yes |
| Example | What else do you want? | What else’s?* |
| Common pattern | someone else | someone else’s car |
| Meaning | another person/thing | something belonging to another |
*Although else’s can technically occur in possessive constructions, a phrase such as “What else’s?” is unusual and often sounds awkward. English normally expresses the intended meaning more clearly with a noun: “What else’s name?” or, depending on meaning, “Whose name?”
Practical rule
Ask yourself:
Am I describing another/different thing?
Use else.
Is there anything else?
Am I showing that something belongs to another person or thing?
Use else’s.
That is someone else’s book.
This simple test solves most cases.
Common Examples of “Else” in Everyday English
With indefinite pronouns
One of the most common patterns is:
someone + else
anyone + else
everyone + else
nobody + else
something + else
anything + else
nothing + else
Examples:
- Someone else can help you.
- I don’t know anyone else here.
- Everyone else has arrived.
- There is nothing else to discuss.
- Would you like something else?
- Is there anything else on the list?
Cambridge describes this as a standard use of else after words beginning with any-, every-, no-, and some-.
With question words
Else also commonly follows what, who, where, why, and how:
- What else do you need?
- Who else is coming?
- Where else could we look?
- Why else would she call?
- How else can we solve the problem?
Oxford similarly defines else as being used in questions and after words such as nothing, nobody, something, and anything.
In professional communication
You will frequently see else in workplace English:
Is there anything else you need from me?
Who else should be included in the meeting?
We should consider what else the client may require.
These are natural and professional constructions.
How to Use “Else’s” Correctly
Possessive examples
Use else’s before a noun when the noun is connected to another person or thing.
Correct:
- That is someone else’s responsibility.
- I borrowed someone else’s laptop.
- We should respect everyone else’s opinions.
- This is nobody else’s decision.
- The company cannot use someone else’s trademark without permission.
The possessive construction is particularly useful when the identity of the owner is not specified.
Business and academic examples
In business writing:
We should not use someone else’s confidential information.
In education:
Students should not submit someone else’s work as their own.
In academic writing:
Researchers must distinguish their own conclusions from someone else’s findings.
In everyday conversation:
I think you took someone else’s umbrella.
In each case, else’s indicates a relationship of possession or association.
Key takeaway
If a noun comes after the phrase and you mean “belonging to another person,” else’s is often the form you need.
Why People Write “Elses”
Confusion about possessives
A common reason people write elses is that they know possession sometimes involves -s, but they forget that English possessives are marked with an apostrophe.
For example:
- John’s car
- someone else’s car
The second phrase follows the same basic possessive principle.
Writing:
❌ someone elses car
removes the apostrophe and makes the construction nonstandard.
The correct version is:
✅ someone else’s car
Confusion with plural nouns
Another source of confusion is the difference between a plural and a possessive.
For ordinary nouns:
- one student
- two students
- one student’s book
- two students’ books
But else does not work like a regular count noun in phrases such as someone else. You do not normally create a plural elses to mean “other people.”
Instead, the word before else carries the grammatical information:
- someone else
- everyone else
- other people
- other things
Key takeaway
Do not add -s to else to create a plural. When possession is intended, use else’s.
Common Mistakes: Wrong vs. Correct
Mistake 1: Removing the apostrophe
❌ This is someone elses phone.
✅ This is someone else’s phone.
The apostrophe is required because the phone belongs to someone else.
Mistake 2: Making “else” plural
❌ What elses do you need?
✅ What else do you need?
Else already expresses the idea of something additional or different.
Mistake 3: Using “else’s” when possession is not intended
❌ I want something else’s.
Usually, this is unclear or unnatural.
✅ I want something else.
If possession is intended, provide the noun or use a clearer possessive construction.
Mistake 4: Confusing “else” with “other”
❌ Which else option do you prefer?
✅ Which other option do you prefer?
Cambridge notes that else is not normally used directly after which. In that situation, which other is the natural construction.
A Simple Decision Guide: Else or Else’s?
Use this three-step test
Step 1: Do you mean “another,” “different,” or “additional”?
→ Use else.
Do you need anything else?
Step 2: Do you mean “belonging to another person or thing”?
→ Use else’s.
That is someone else’s seat.
Step 3: Are you trying to make “else” plural?
→ Do not use elses.
Rewrite the sentence using other, others, or an appropriate noun.
For example:
❌ Elses were invited.
✅ Other people were invited.
Quick decision table
| What you mean | Correct choice | Example |
| Another | else | Who else is coming? |
| Additional | else | Anything else? |
| Different | else | Let’s go somewhere else. |
| Belonging to another person | else’s | Someone else’s bag |
| Plural “other people/things” | Usually others/other + noun | Other students agreed |
| “Elses” as a plural | ❌ Avoid | — |
“Else” in Related Expressions
Elsewhere
Elsewhere means in, at, or to another place. Oxford defines it as referring to another place or other places.
Examples:
- We should look elsewhere for a better solution.
- The information can be found elsewhere in the report.
- If this store is closed, we’ll go elsewhere.
Do not confuse elsewhere with else + where in ordinary sentence construction.
Or else
Or else can introduce an alternative or indicate what will happen if something does not happen.
Examples:
Hurry up, or else we’ll miss the train.
You need to finish the report, or else the deadline will be missed.
Cambridge and Oxford both recognize or else as a standard expression.
If all else fails
This expression means if every other plan or possibility is unsuccessful.
If all else fails, call customer support.
Here, else carries its normal sense of other.
Professional Writing Tips for Using “Else”
Prefer clarity over complicated possessives
Although else’s is grammatically valid, professional writers should make sure the sentence is immediately clear.
For example:
The manager reviewed someone else’s proposal.
is perfectly natural.
But if a sentence becomes difficult to follow, rewrite it:
The manager reviewed the proposal submitted by another team.
The second version may be preferable when precision matters.
Watch the apostrophe carefully
In proofreading, elses is a useful error to search for because it may represent a missing apostrophe.
If you see:
someone elses
check whether the intended phrase is:
someone else’s
This is especially important in formal emails, reports, academic papers, websites, and business documents.
Use “other” when it fits better
Not every sentence that means “another” needs else.
Compare:
What else can we try?
with:
What other methods can we try?
Both are grammatical, but the second is more specific because it names the category being compared.
Mini Quiz: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct form
1. Is there anything ___ you need?
- A. elses
- B. else
- C. else’s
Answer: B — else
2. This is someone ___ laptop.
- A. else
- B. elses
- C. else’s
Answer: C — else’s
3. Who ___ has been invited?
- A. else
- B. elses
- C. else’s
Answer: A — else
4. We should ask ___ people for their opinions.
- A. elses
- B. other
- C. else’s
Answer: B — other
The pattern to remember is simple: else means another/different/additional, while else’s expresses possession.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “elses” a correct English word?
Elses is not normally used as the standard plural or possessive form of else. In most situations, use else or else’s, depending on the meaning.
Is “elses” ever correct?
In standard everyday English, elses should generally be avoided. If you are trying to express possession, write else’s with an apostrophe.
Is “else’s” grammatically correct?
Yes. Else’s is a standard possessive construction, as in someone else’s car or everyone else’s opinion. Cambridge specifically documents this possessive pattern.
What is the plural of “else”?
Else does not normally have a plural form. If you mean multiple other people or things, use expressions such as others, other people, or other things, depending on the sentence.
Should I write “someone elses” or “someone else’s”?
Write someone else’s. The apostrophe marks possession.
Someone else’s phone
means the phone belongs to another person.
Is “everyone elses” correct?
No. The standard form is everyone else’s when possession is intended.
Everyone else’s answers were correct.
Is “what else’s” correct?
It can occur in a possessive construction, but it is uncommon and often needs a noun to make the meaning clear. In many situations, a clearer expression such as which other or whose is preferable.
What is the difference between “else” and “other”?
Both can refer to something different or additional, but their grammar differs. Else commonly follows indefinite pronouns and question words, while other can directly modify a noun.
something else
another option / another option
other options
Is “or else” correct?
Yes. Or else is a standard expression meaning otherwise or introducing an alternative consequence.
How do you pronounce “else”?
Else is pronounced approximately /els/ in both British and American English. Cambridge and Oxford list this pronunciation.
Is “else” used in formal writing?
Yes. Else is completely standard in formal, academic, professional, and everyday English. The key is to use it in the correct grammatical position.
Key Takeaways
- Else is the standard word meaning another, different, additional, or other.
- Else’s is the possessive form.
- Elses is generally not the correct form.
- Someone else means another person.
- Someone else’s means belonging to another person.
- Use other, others, or a specific noun when you need a plural expression.
- Remember: else = another; else’s = belonging to another.
Editorial Note
The most reliable way to settle an else vs. else’s question is to look at the grammatical function rather than simply how the word sounds. Dictionary and grammar references consistently support else for meanings such as “other,” “different,” and “additional,” while possessive constructions use ’s, as in someone else’s.
References
- Cambridge Dictionary — Else
- Cambridge English Grammar Today — Else
- Cambridge Grammar — Possessives
- Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary — Else
Conclusion
The correct choice depends on what you want to say. Use else when you mean another, different, or additional: What else do you need? Use else’s when you are showing possession: That is someone else’s responsibility.
The forms elses and elses should not normally be used as substitutes for these constructions. When proofreading your writing, remember one simple rule: if you mean “another,” use else; if you mean “belonging to another,” use else’s.
Actionable takeaway: Before writing elses, stop and ask whether you mean else or else’s. In standard English, that apostrophe can change the grammatical meaning.
David James is an English language enthusiast, writer, and author at StudyNixx, a website dedicated to helping readers understand confusing English words, spelling differences, and commonly mistaken word forms. He focuses on making English language learning simple, practical, and easy to understand.
David is also the author of two books on English language and word usage, where he explores common spelling mistakes, confusing words, and practical ways to improve written English. Through his writing and educational content, he helps students, writers, and everyday English learners choose the right words with confidence.
At StudyNixx, David covers common word comparisons such as summary vs. summery, shiny vs. shiney, spicy vs. spicey, and breached vs. breeched. His goal is to provide clear, useful, and reliable explanations that make English spelling and word usage easier for everyone.