Apostrophe For Names Ending In S

Let's explore the often-confusing world of apostrophes, specifically focusing on how to correctly use them with names ending in "s." Mastering this seemingly small punctuation mark can significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing. While the rules might seem tricky at first, a little practice and understanding can make them second nature.

The Basic Rules of Apostrophes

Before diving into the specifics of names ending in "s," it's crucial to understand the fundamental rules governing apostrophe use. Apostrophes primarily serve two purposes: to indicate possession and to mark contractions.

• Possession: An apostrophe indicates that a noun owns or is associated with something. For singular nouns, you typically add an apostrophe followed by an "s" ('s).
• Contractions: Apostrophes show where letters have been omitted in shortened words or phrases.

Possessive Apostrophes with Singular Nouns

For most singular nouns, forming the possessive is straightforward: add an apostrophe and an "s." For example:

• The dog's bone (the bone belonging to the dog)
• Mary's car (the car belonging to Mary)
• The company's profits (the profits of the company)

Possessive Apostrophes with Plural Nouns

When dealing with plural nouns, the rules change slightly. If the plural noun already ends in "s," you typically add only an apostrophe after the "s."

• The dogs' bones (the bones belonging to the dogs)
• The students' projects (the projects belonging to the students)
• The companies' headquarters (the headquarters of the companies)

However, if the plural noun does not end in "s" (an irregular plural), you add an apostrophe and an "s" ('s).

• The children's toys (the toys belonging to the children)
• The men's restroom (the restroom for men)
• The people's choice (the choice of the people)

Names Ending in "S": The Core of the Issue

The real confusion arises when dealing with names that end in "s," whether they're singular or plural. The traditional rule states that you should add an apostrophe and an "s" ('s) to singular names ending in "s" to form the possessive.

• Chris's car (the car belonging to Chris)
• Burns's office (the office belonging to Burns)
• • ইনিংস's* Theory of Cognitive Development (theory of innings)

However, this rule has evolved, and many style guides now accept adding just an apostrophe after the "s" for singular names, especially if the addition of "'s" makes the word difficult to pronounce.

• Chris' car (the car belonging to Chris)
• Burns' office (the office belonging to Burns)

Which Rule to Follow? Consistency is Key

The critical point is to choose one method and remain consistent throughout your writing. There's no single "right" answer universally accepted. Different style guides and publications have their preferences. Here's a breakdown:

• The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS): Traditionally, CMOS prefers adding "'s" to singular names ending in "s." However, it also acknowledges the acceptability of adding only an apostrophe, especially when the pronunciation is awkward with the extra "s."
• The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook: AP generally recommends adding only an apostrophe to singular names ending in "s."
• MLA Handbook: MLA follows the general rule of adding "'s" to singular nouns to form the possessive, including names ending in "s."

To simplify:

• CMOS: Add "'s" unless awkward to pronounce.
• AP: Add only an apostrophe.
• MLA: Always add "'s".

Examples of Possessive Names Ending in "S"

Let's illustrate with a variety of examples:

• With "'s":
  • James's book
  • Charles's reign
  • Davis's company
  • Miles's trumpet
  • Williams's goal
• With only an apostrophe:
  • James' book (acceptable, especially if you find "James's" awkward)
  • Charles' reign (acceptable, though "Charles's" is more common)
  • Davis' company (acceptable, but "Davis's" is arguably more common)
  • Miles' trumpet
  • Williams' goal

The best approach is to consider the specific name and how it sounds when you add the extra "s." If it sounds natural and flows well, use "'s." If it sounds cumbersome or unnatural, using only an apostrophe is perfectly acceptable, as long as you maintain consistency.

Plural Names Ending in "S": A Simpler Case

For plural names ending in "s," the rule is much more straightforward: add only an apostrophe after the "s."

• The Williamses' house (the house belonging to the Williams family)
• The Joneses' car (the car belonging to the Jones family)
• The Smiths' garden (the garden belonging to the Smith family)

This rule applies regardless of the style guide you're following. The key is to ensure that the name is indeed plural before applying this rule. To make a family name plural, you generally add "es" or "s" (depending on the ending) without an apostrophe.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing possessives with plurals: Avoid using an apostrophe to form the plural of a name. For example, "The Williams' are coming over" is incorrect. It should be "The Williams are coming over."
• Using apostrophes in possessive pronouns: Possessive pronouns like his, hers, its, ours, yours, and theirs never take an apostrophe.
• Inconsistency: As emphasized earlier, choose a style and stick to it throughout your document. Don't switch between using "'s" and just an apostrophe for singular names ending in "s."

Contractions with Names

While the focus has been on possessives, it's important to remember that apostrophes are also used in contractions. However, contractions with names are relatively rare and usually involve informal speech.

• James'll (James will)
• Chris'd (Chris would/had)
• Davis's is a contraction of Davis is.

These forms are generally avoided in formal writing.

Practical Examples in Sentences

Here are several examples demonstrating the correct use of apostrophes with names ending in "s" in various contexts:

• "The Joneses' annual party is always a highlight of the summer." (Plural possessive)
• "Chris's dedication to the project was commendable." (Singular possessive, using "'s")
• "Charles' influence on the field of physics is undeniable." (Singular possessive, using only an apostrophe)
• "The Williamses have lived in that neighborhood for over 30 years." (Plural, no apostrophe)
• "Ms. Davis's presentation was both informative and engaging." (Singular possessive, using "'s")
• "Burns' proposal was innovative and well-researched." (Singular possessive, using only an apostrophe)
• "He borrowed Miles's new CD." (Singular possessive, using "'s")
• "She admired Lewis' courage." (Singular possessive, using only an apostrophe)
• "The Smiths' children are all very talented." (Plural possessive)
• "Davis's insights were invaluable to the team." (Singular possessive, using "'s")

A Flowchart for Apostrophe Use with Names Ending in "S"

To further clarify the decision-making process, consider this flowchart:

1. Does the name end in "s"?
   • No: Add "'s" (e.g., John's book).
   • Yes: Continue to step 2.
2. Is the name plural?
   • Yes: Add only an apostrophe (e.g., The Smiths' car).
   • No (singular): Continue to step 3.
3. What style guide are you following?
   • AP: Add only an apostrophe (e.g., Chris' idea).
   • CMOS: Add "'s" unless awkward to pronounce (e.g., James's house, but possibly Moses' laws).
   • MLA: Add "'s" (e.g., Davis's report).
4. If following CMOS and unsure, how does it sound?
   • Sounds natural with "'s": Add "'s" (e.g., Ross's opinion).
   • Sounds awkward with "'s": Add only an apostrophe (e.g., Moses' laws).
5. Maintain consistency!

Exceptions and Special Cases

While the rules outlined above cover most situations, there are always exceptions and special cases. For instance, some organizations or geographical locations may have established names that deviate from the standard rules.

• St. James's Park (note the position of the apostrophe)
• Names of companies that intentionally omit the apostrophe (though this is less about grammar and more about branding)

In these cases, it's best to follow the established convention, even if it contradicts the general rules.

Why Does All This Matter?

You might wonder if getting the apostrophe right is really that important. While a misplaced apostrophe might not always lead to confusion, it can detract from the overall professionalism and credibility of your writing. Attention to detail, even in seemingly minor aspects of grammar, demonstrates care and respect for your audience. Moreover, in academic or professional contexts, adherence to established style guides is often expected.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding, try these exercises:

1. Write the possessive form of the following names:
   • Ross
   • The Jones family
   • Chris
   • Lewis
   • The Williams family
2. Correct any errors in apostrophe usage in the following sentences:
   • The Smith's are coming to dinner.
   • Chris' car is red.
   • The childrens' toys were scattered everywhere.
   • James's book was very interesting.
   • The company's profits have increased this year.

(Answers: 1. Ross's/Ross', The Joneses', Chris's/Chris', Lewis's/Lewis', The Williamses'. 2. The Smiths are coming to dinner. Chris's/Chris' car is red. The children's toys were scattered everywhere. Correct. Correct.)

Resources for Further Learning

• The Chicago Manual of Style
• The Associated Press Stylebook
• MLA Handbook
• Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab)

By mastering the rules governing apostrophe use, especially with names ending in "s," you'll elevate the clarity and precision of your writing, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in communication. Remember, consistency is paramount, and when in doubt, consult a reputable style guide. The journey to grammatical mastery is ongoing, but with dedication and practice, you can confidently navigate the nuances of apostrophe placement and write with assurance.