Plural and Possessive Forms with Names Ending in y
How do you form the plural of a proper noun that ends in y such as Murphy? Should you change the name to Murphies? Given how other English words ending in y form their plurals, you would think so.
Examples:
puppy / puppies
army / armies
supply / supplies
However, proper nouns are not pluralized the same way as common nouns are.
Rule: Do not change the spelling of a name to make it plural. Instead, just add s.
Example: I visited the Murphys last weekend.
Example: We have two Zacharys in our office.
What if you want to show possession with a name that ends in y?
Rule: To show singular possession, use the apostrophe and then the s.
Example: I petted Mrs. Murphy’s cat.
Rule: To show plural possession, make the proper noun plural first, then use the apostrophe.
Example: I petted the Murphys’ cat.
Example: I visited the Murphys’ store on Main Street.
Rule: To show the plural of a name that ends in s, ch, or z, add es.
Examples: The Sanchezes will be over soon. The Thomases moved away.
Quiz
1. I wish I had known the Kennedys/Kennedies/Kennedy’s better.
2. I know three Mary’s/Marys who live in Bangkok.
3. Mary’s/Marys dog is very friendly.
4. If the Kennedies’/Kennedys’/Kennedy’s home comes up for sale, I will buy it.
5. If Mrs. Kennedys’/Kennedy’s home comes up for sale, I will buy it.
6. Are the Church’es/Churches/Churche’s your friends?
Answers
1. Kennedys
2. Marys
3. Mary’s
4. Kennedys’
5. Kennedy’s
6. Churches
Posted on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007, at 2:17 pm
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Which is correct?
We will respect each other’s opinions.
We will respect each others’ opinions.
each other’s opinions
Rules on “first annual”…..
I know that some sticklers say that “first” is redundant in “first annual,” but I don’t agree. I think “first annual” is fine because it tells readers what they can expect in the future.
What if the last name ends in an i as in ..ski? Would it be ..skis or ..skies?
The way to show a plural of a proper noun is to simply add the s.
the last name James: the tickets are Mike Jameses?
Since you are talking about tickets belonging to Mike James, an apostrophe is used to show possession. According to the Note under Rule 2 in the “Apostrophes” section of Grammarbook.com, “Although names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form, it is preferred.” Therefore, Mike James’s tickets would be the preferred spelling.
What is the correct way to write is
Marcus’ birthday or Marcus’s birthday
According to the note under Rule 2 in the “Apostrophes” section , “Although names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form, it is preferred.” Therefore, the preferred way to write it is Marcus’s birthday.