One method, common in newspapers and magazines, is to add an apostrophe + s ( ‘s) to common nouns ending in s, but only a stand-alone apostrophe to proper nouns ending in s.Ĭare must be taken to place the apostrophe outside the word in question. And some add an apostrophe + s to every proper noun, be it Hastings’s or Jones’s. Rule 1c Some writers and editors add only an apostrophe to all nouns ending in s. Our Rule 1c of Apostrophes on our website addresses your problem: You don’t have to write the possessive S, but you always have to say it (unless it’s a plural like Childrens, Jonses, or similar). That is the actual rule and people seem to have forgotten it. So that is why you always (with a very few exceptions) always say the possessive S whether it is written or not. AKA Charles’s (Charles’) desk.” The person looking for Charles’s desk just gives a blank stare. One is a person who doesn’t exist and the other is a a desk that Charles sits at. The answer comes back “There is no Charles Desk at XYZ Corporation” and the reply to that is “No, no, I am looking for the desk of Charles” to which the reply comes ” You didn’t ask me for Charles’ (Charles’s) desk. The rule is always (with a few exceptions) say the possessive S, whether it is written or not. One can not see a possessive apostrophe in the spoken word, which can lead to a lot of confusion if the second S isn’t spoken. So whether you write Charles’ or Charles’s the S after the apostrophe is always said, even when it isn’t written. That gives one the impression he is talking about a person whose name is Charles Desk, rather than the desk of Charles. The reply comes back “Who’s Charles Desk?” to which the person searching for Charles’s (or Charles’) desk says “No, I am looking for Charles Desk” He is saying Charles rather than Charlesez. I have a very good example of why one should always (with a few exceptions) say Charlsez whether it is written Charles’ or Charles’s.Ī man walks into my office and says “Where’s Charles Desk?” (what he actually wants to know is where Charles’ or Charles’s desk is). If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page. We understand Lagos’s (OR Lagos’) airport handled over one million passengers last year. The bus’s steering wheel was wearing out.ĥ. The classes’ opinions were predictable according to their grade levels.ģ. We understand Lagos airport handled over one million passengers last year.ġ. The bus steering wheel was wearing out.ĥ. The classes opinions were predictable according to their grade levels.ģ. Place the apostrophe (and perhaps an s) where appropriate.ġ. Rule 2: To show plural possession of a word ending in an s or s sound, form the plural first then immediately use the apostrophe. This method explains the punctuation of for goodness’ sake. On the other hand, most people would pronounce an added s in “Jones’s,” so we’d write it as we say it: Mr. Hastings’ pen” would not pronounce an added s, we would write Mr. For example, since most people saying “Mr.
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One method, common in newspapers and magazines, is to add an apostrophe plus s ( ’s) to common nouns ending in s, but only a stand-alone apostrophe to proper nouns ending in s.Īnother widely used technique, the one we favor, is to write the word as we would speak it. There also are a few who add only an apostrophe to all nouns ending in s however, this method is typically rare, and not recommended here. Some writers and editors add ’ s to every proper noun, be it Hastings’s or Jones’s. There is no right answer the best advice is to choose a formula and stay consistent. There are conflicting policies and theories about how to show possession when writing such nouns. Rule 1: Many common nouns end in the letter s ( lens, cactus, bus, etc.). This review will help to resolve some of the questions surrounding that subject. Whether to use an additional s with singular possession can still be a source of heated debate. Apostrophes with Words and Names Ending in s