Comments on: Apostrophes with Words Ending in “s” http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/ The #1 Grammar & Punctuation Resource on the Internet! Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:57:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-1103 Jane Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:50:33 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-1103 I agree that Smith and Williams' is considered acceptable. However, because the name ends in an "s," one could assume that Williams' means that the name was William, not Williams. To avoid confusion, I recommend using the apostrophe "s" on all names ending in "s." I don't hear any difference between Ellis's and Williams's. See http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp I agree that Smith and Williams’ is considered acceptable. However, because the name ends in an “s,” one could assume that Williams’ means that the name was William, not Williams. To avoid confusion, I recommend using the apostrophe “s” on all names ending in “s.” I don’t hear any difference between Ellis’s and Williams’s.
See http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp

]]> By: Andy http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-1102 Andy Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:02:49 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-1102 I think the following example comes down to sounding it out: Possessive of "Smith and Williams" (law firm)? I know that it could either be Williams's or Williams'. From what you've written and what's been said in the comments, however, the latter is incorrect as it's not an ancient name. I think this is a rare exception to this rule. This name when possessive and sounded out is NOT the same as "Kirkland and Ellis's." Do you agree that "Smith and Williams'" is correct? And is there a rule succinctly explaining why? I think the following example comes down to sounding it out:

Possessive of “Smith and Williams” (law firm)?

I know that it could either be Williams’s or Williams’. From what you’ve written and what’s been said in the comments, however, the latter is incorrect as it’s not an ancient name. I think this is a rare exception to this rule. This name when possessive and sounded out is NOT the same as “Kirkland and Ellis’s.”

Do you agree that “Smith and Williams’” is correct? And is there a rule succinctly explaining why?

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-1081 Jane Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:31:21 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-1081 It is better to write Evans's to let people know that the original name was Evans. This is not mandatory, however. It is better to write Evans’s to let people know that the original name was Evans. This is not mandatory, however.

]]> By: Lauren http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-1076 Lauren Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:57:15 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-1076 Would it be wrong to write Mrs. Evans' classroom? Every grammar book I have including MLA materials has contradictory explanations! So frustrating! Would it be wrong to write Mrs. Evans’ classroom? Every grammar book I have including MLA materials has contradictory explanations! So frustrating!

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-1010 Jane Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:23:00 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-1010 Either is correct. However, I would use Atticus's for the possessive because you are not referring to the ancient Atticus. Either is correct. However, I would use Atticus’s for the possessive because you are not referring to the ancient Atticus.

]]> By: Randy http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-1008 Randy Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:08:13 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-1008 My son has an "ancient" name: Atticus. Should his possession be Atticus's or Atticus' (see above comment: Jane 2/4)? My son has an “ancient” name: Atticus. Should his possession be Atticus’s or Atticus’ (see above comment: Jane 2/4)?

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-861 Jane Thu, 14 May 2009 23:02:11 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-861 "The Theoses" is correct. If you don't like the looks of this, you could use "The Theos Family." No apostrophe is used because it is not a possessive unless you write "The Theoses' House." I hope this helps. “The Theoses” is correct. If you don’t like the looks of this, you could use “The Theos Family.” No apostrophe is used because it is not a possessive unless you write “The Theoses’ House.” I hope this helps.

]]> By: Ashley http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-860 Ashley Thu, 14 May 2009 16:41:13 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-860 I am giving a door knocker as a gift to a recently married couple... their name is Theos. What is the proper use of plural/possessive? I would think their name would be plural because there are two of them and possessive as it is their house... however I'm struggling with the ending in s?!? And I think a door knoker that reads "The Theoses'" is a bit buch and to me appears to change their last name... Please HELP! Thank you!!! I am giving a door knocker as a gift to a recently married couple… their name is Theos. What is the proper use of plural/possessive? I would think their name would be plural because there are two of them and possessive as it is their house… however I’m struggling with the ending in s?!? And I think a door knoker that reads “The Theoses’” is a bit buch and to me appears to change their last name… Please HELP! Thank you!!!

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-855 Jane Sat, 09 May 2009 17:43:20 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-855 Elizabeth, you're right; they're wrong. Doesn't it feel good to be validated? For proof, show them Rule 4 of this page: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp Elizabeth, you’re right; they’re wrong. Doesn’t it feel good to be validated?
For proof, show them Rule 4 of this page: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp

]]> By: Elizabeth http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/uncategorized/apostrophes-with-words-ending-in-s/comment-page-1/#comment-854 Elizabeth Fri, 08 May 2009 19:47:53 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=26#comment-854 I have another example that comes up at work frequently. Either I'm consistently getting it wrong, or others are. I work at "Something" Industries. When referring to our facilities, people have written: Something Industries facilities Something Industrie's facilities I have always corrected them with: Something Industries' facilities Please tell me if I am right or wrong. I may be wrong, but if I am, I am not clear on the reasoning. I know you must add the apostrophe to show possession; however, since the word ends in an "s" and "Industries's" sounds absurd, the only logical solution seems to be the one I suggested. I am an executive level assistant in my dept. Many of the people who work with me have BS degrees in health physics or related areas. I don't think they think I know a thing! As it turns out, I have a degree in Communications (with a concentration in PR). Many of my professors tried to convince me to switch to a major in English, but I really was interested in pursuing a communications profession and felt very confident about my spelling and grammar knowledge. I also graduated summa cum laude, which most people don't know. It's just interesting how people assume that, because I am not a manager, I know less about everything than them. Hey, I know stuff! They do the technical portion of their proposals and pass them to me. I organize them and make them sparkle. They do the content; I do the magic. :) Elizabeth Hollman I have another example that comes up at work frequently. Either I’m consistently getting it wrong, or others are. I work at “Something” Industries. When referring to our facilities, people have written:
Something Industries facilities
Something Industrie’s facilities

I have always corrected them with:
Something Industries’ facilities

Please tell me if I am right or wrong. I may be wrong, but if I am, I am not clear on the reasoning. I know you must add the apostrophe to show possession; however, since the word ends in an “s” and “Industries’s” sounds absurd, the only logical solution seems to be the one I suggested.

I am an executive level assistant in my dept. Many of the people who work with me have BS degrees in health physics or related areas. I don’t think they think I know a thing! As it turns out, I have a degree in Communications (with a concentration in PR). Many of my professors tried to convince me to switch to a major in English, but I really was interested in pursuing a communications profession and felt very confident about my spelling and grammar knowledge. I also graduated summa cum laude, which most people don’t know. It’s just interesting how people assume that, because I am not a manager, I know less about everything than them. Hey, I know stuff!

They do the technical portion of their proposals and pass them to me. I organize them and make them sparkle. They do the content; I do the magic. :)

Elizabeth Hollman

]]>