Bachelor or Bachelor’s: The Truth Teachers Rarely Explain

👉 Use bachelor when you mean an unmarried man or the degree itself.
👉 Use bachelor’s when you are talking about something that belongs to the degree, like a bachelor’s degree.
That’s it! The apostrophe changes the meaning.

Many English learners — and even native speakers — get confused between bachelor and bachelor’s. They look almost the same, but that tiny apostrophe (’s) makes a big difference. One word talks about a person or a degree, and the other talks about ownership or belonging.

This mix-up often happens in school forms, resumes, college applications, and everyday writing. You might wonder:
👉 Is it bachelor degree or bachelor’s degree?
👉 Is bachelor singular or possessive?

Don’t worry. This guide will explain bachelor or bachelor’s in the simplest way possible. By the end, even a 4th-grade student will understand when to use each one correctly — with clear meanings, easy rules, and real-life examples.

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What Does Each Word Mean?

Let’s understand both words one by one.

What Does Bachelor Mean?

Bachelor is a noun.

It has two main meanings:

1. An unmarried man
2. The name of a degree (without ownership)

Easy Examples of Bachelor

1. Ali is a bachelor. He is not married.
2. My uncle stayed a bachelor for many years.
3. She completed her bachelor in science.

👉 Think of bachelor as a name — a person or a thing.

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What Does Bachelor’s Mean?

Bachelor’s is also a noun, but it is possessive.
That means something belongs to the bachelor degree.

Most of the time, it is used with the word degree.

Easy Examples of Bachelor’s

1. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English.
2. He is applying for jobs after his bachelor’s.
3. A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years.

👉 The apostrophe (’s) shows ownership.

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The Key Difference Between Bachelor and Bachelor’s

Here is a simple comparison table to make it clear:

Feature	Bachelor	Bachelor’s
Meaning	A person or degree name	Something belonging to the degree
Apostrophe	❌ No	✅ Yes
Usage	Unmarried man or degree	Used with “degree”
Example	He is a bachelor.	She has a bachelor’s degree.

⭐ Quick Tip to Remember

If you can add the word degree after it, you probably need bachelor’s.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many people make small but common mistakes with bachelor or bachelor’s.

❌ Mistake 1

He completed his bachelor degree.

✅ Correct:
He completed his bachelor’s degree.

Why?
The degree belongs to the bachelor level, so it needs ownership.

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❌ Mistake 2

She is a bachelor’s.

✅ Correct:
She is a bachelor.

Why?
You are talking about a person, not ownership.

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❌ Mistake 3

I have a bachelors degree.

✅ Correct:
I have a bachelor’s degree.

Why?
It’s singular and possessive, not plural.

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When to Use Bachelor

Use bachelor in these situations:

✔️ Situations

• Talking about an unmarried man
• Referring to the degree name alone
• Describing someone’s status

✔️ Simple Examples

1. My cousin is still a bachelor.
2. He lived the life of a bachelor.
3. She finished her bachelor last year.
4. A bachelor often lives alone.
5. He remained a bachelor by choice.

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When to Use Bachelor’s

Use bachelor’s when you talk about the degree owning something.

✔️ Situations

• With the word degree
• In resumes, applications, and exams
• When showing qualification ownership

✔️ Simple Examples

1. She earned a bachelor’s degree in math.
2. A bachelor’s is required for this job.
3. He completed his bachelor’s degree abroad.
4. Most students start working after their bachelor’s.
5. Her bachelor’s degree helped her get a job.

🧠 Memory Hack

👉 Apostrophe = ownership
If the degree owns something, use ’s.

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Quick Recap: Bachelor vs Bachelor’s

• Bachelor
  • No apostrophe
  • A person or degree name
  • Example: He is a bachelor.
• Bachelor’s
  • Has an apostrophe
  • Shows ownership
  • Example: She has a bachelor’s degree.

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Advanced Tips (Optional)

Word Origin (Simple)

The word bachelor comes from old French and originally meant a young knight or student. Over time, it came to mean an unmarried man and later a college degree.

Formal Writing Tip

In essays, exams, and resumes, always write:
✅ Bachelor’s degree (capital B if part of a title)

Texting & Online Writing

Using bachelor instead of bachelor’s online can change meaning and look unprofessional.

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Mini Quiz: Test Yourself 🎯

Fill in the blanks:

1. He is still a ________.
2. She earned her ________ degree in 2023.
3. A ________ degree is required for this job.
4. My brother is a ________ and lives alone.
5. After his ________, he applied for work.

Answers:

1. bachelor
2. bachelor’s
3. bachelor’s
4. bachelor
5. bachelor’s

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FAQs: Bachelor or Bachelor’s

1. Is it bachelor degree or bachelor’s degree?

✅ Bachelor’s degree is correct.

2. Can I say “I did my bachelor”?

Yes, in informal English. In formal writing, say bachelor’s degree.

3. Does bachelor’s always need an apostrophe?

Yes, when it shows ownership.

4. Is bachelor plural?

No. The plural is bachelors (no apostrophe).

5. Is bachelor’s capitalized?

Only when part of a formal title, like Bachelor’s Degree in Science.

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Conclusion

Now you clearly know the difference between bachelor or bachelor’s. The rule is simple: no apostrophe for a person, apostrophe for the degree. That tiny mark changes the whole meaning.

With clear examples, easy rules, and quick tips, you can now use both words confidently in school, writing, and daily life. Keep practicing, and your English will get better every day. Small grammar wins lead to big confidence boosts!