Grammar rules can prove to be a great source of stress. First, learning the names of parts of speech can lead to confusion and does little to further understanding. Second, often the description of a rule will provide that you should “usually” do something, which begs the question of when you shouldn’t. Third, rules come with exceptions, which sometimes outnumber the rules! Finally, grammar rules can bring back disturbing memories of elementary school, which can lead to poor sleep and worsening health. You get the picture!
In my hope to foster longevity through writing, I’ve decided to offer an easy way to tackle at least one of the grammar nightmares for many of us: The possessive form of names ending in “s.”
Strunk & White’s famous (or should I change that to “infamous”?) book on writing, The Elements of Style, covers this topic on its first page. Interestingly, the most useful tidbit I’ve gleaned from this discussion is the exception of ancient figures: Socrates’ teachings; Moses’ tablets (not the electronic ones); or Jesus’ sandals (which you can still buy in Greece). These always require only the apostrophe, and no added “s.” How is this an exception? Keep reading...
The question you more likely encounter is how to make non-ancient names possessive when they end in the letter “s.” And the easy answer is to say the possessive form of the name out loud—or in your head so you don’t attract stares. Do you hear an extra “es” sound? If so, add apostrophe “s”: Atticus’s argument; Mavis’s business.
But, what if an extra “es” sound sounds funny? If that’s the case, then just add an apostrophe (without the “s”). So, let’s try. Would you say Mercedes’s car? No. Then just write Mercedes’ car. Would you say Rivers’s solution? No. Then just write Rivers’ solution. Would you name your child River? I have no idea.
You can apply this “sound” concept to plural names as well, as long as you first make the name plural: The Joneses’ house; the Menendezes’ opening. Now, back to that exception above. If we were to apply this concept to biblical names or the like, we’d write Artemis’s dad (who was Zeus, by the way)—but we don’t because she’s too old—ancient, in fact! What is the purpose of that exception? I have no idea.
In my hope to foster longevity through writing, I’ve decided to offer an easy way to tackle at least one of the grammar nightmares for many of us: The possessive form of names ending in “s.”
Strunk & White’s famous (or should I change that to “infamous”?) book on writing, The Elements of Style, covers this topic on its first page. Interestingly, the most useful tidbit I’ve gleaned from this discussion is the exception of ancient figures: Socrates’ teachings; Moses’ tablets (not the electronic ones); or Jesus’ sandals (which you can still buy in Greece). These always require only the apostrophe, and no added “s.” How is this an exception? Keep reading...
The question you more likely encounter is how to make non-ancient names possessive when they end in the letter “s.” And the easy answer is to say the possessive form of the name out loud—or in your head so you don’t attract stares. Do you hear an extra “es” sound? If so, add apostrophe “s”: Atticus’s argument; Mavis’s business.
But, what if an extra “es” sound sounds funny? If that’s the case, then just add an apostrophe (without the “s”). So, let’s try. Would you say Mercedes’s car? No. Then just write Mercedes’ car. Would you say Rivers’s solution? No. Then just write Rivers’ solution. Would you name your child River? I have no idea.
You can apply this “sound” concept to plural names as well, as long as you first make the name plural: The Joneses’ house; the Menendezes’ opening. Now, back to that exception above. If we were to apply this concept to biblical names or the like, we’d write Artemis’s dad (who was Zeus, by the way)—but we don’t because she’s too old—ancient, in fact! What is the purpose of that exception? I have no idea.
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