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

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 2:17 pm and is filed under Apostrophes, Singular vs. Plural. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.