Possessive Form of Singular Nouns Ending with S
February 17, 2005
Many people struggle with the possessive case of singular nouns when the words already end with s. The general rule is this:
Form the possessive singular of nouns with 's.
Here are some examples:
- James's cat
- Mrs. Jones's attorney
- Dr. Suess's book
Exceptions
Of course, we're talking about the English language, so we're going to have some exceptions to the rule. While grammar books and style guides don't necessarily agree on how to determine these exceptions, most consider a word's pronunciation. Here is what a few of the books say:
If pronunciation would be awkward with the added -'s, some writers use only the apostrophe. Either use is acceptable.
(Diana Hacker, A Writer's Reference)Exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names in -es and -is [such as Achilles' and Isis'], the possessive Jesus', and such forms as for conscience' sake, for righteousness' sake.
(Strunk and White, The Elements of Style)With some singular nouns that end in -s, pronouncing the possessive ending as a separate syllable can sound awkward; in such cases, it is acceptable to use just an apostrophe.
(Kirszner & Mandell, The Brief Holt Handbook)Since writers vary in the use of the apostrophe, it is not possible to make a hard and fast rule about the apostrophe in singular words ending in s.… Punctuate according to pronunciation.
(John E. Warriner, English Grammar and Composition)
For more on this issue, see the article at World Wide Words
Comments (32)
Hi Michael. That's a fun one! I imagine the word you're thinking of ends in e, probably ne. The word "fine" almost works, but not quite.
I'm sure there is another similar word that would work, but I don't have the time or concentration at the moment to think of it.
For now, I'll leave you with a word that you might not have considered because its use in English is confined to the Martial Arts: bo. :)
Mar 22, 2007 ; 9:56 AM
How do you pronounce the possessive of Jesus, "Jesus' "?
Thank you.
Apr 3, 2007 ; 11:42 AM
I would also like to know definitively how to pronounce the plural of "Jesus".
May 2, 2007 ; 9:31 AM
Marty and Luana,
I'm sorry I can't give you a definitive answer to the question about pronouncing the plural of "Jesus." Word pronunciation is outside my area of expertise. I've heard the word pronounced both ways, and I suspect that it might be a matter of regional dialect, but I don't know for sure. If anyone else reading this knows the answer, though, please leave a response!
May 2, 2007 ; 10:17 PM
I believe that the possessive of Jesus is pretty much pronounced as if it is not possessive. The reason being that it is a bit too much work saying Jesuses. Also the same is true of names like Moses. I also believe Christ's is not pronounced as Christes. Let me know if you have any information that shows that I am not correct. I would be happy to correct myself.
May 13, 2007 ; 3:45 PM
The plural of Jesus is pronounced Jesuses... but like most things it is controversial and can be argued either way; similarily to the spelling: Jesus' versus Jesus's. I believe Jesus's is correct, but it can be argued, and there are more important things to argue about =]
Jun 4, 2007 ; 8:57 PM
If it can be argued that means just choose and use whatever you like!
Jul 17, 2007 ; 8:27 PM
I have heard well-educated, articulate people pronouce Jesus' with and without an extra s sound. If we can use music as any guide, in the hymn "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," Jesus' has two syllables.
Jul 23, 2007 ; 8:09 AM
to Tim. That's a great point, about the hymn. But imagine saying "Jesus' earthly ministry." I'm sure it's spelled Jesus', but not sure that it is always pronounced Jesus. Not 100% percent either way.
But my name is argued. To me even. I know it's spelled James's and pronounced Jameses, but people still want to argue.
Aug 10, 2007 ; 9:42 PM
prince
add s becomes princes
add another s becomes princess
Aug 22, 2007 ; 10:11 AM
Haha nicely done with the paradox and answer. I like it a lot
Thanks for the quick entertainment in grammar
Oct 10, 2007 ; 8:33 PM
I disagree with all those who say we should spell a word to conform with pronunciation. That idea is totally foreign to English. Follow Professor Strunk's rule for writing and pronounce as you feel comfortable. I have no problem writing James's and pronouncing it the same as James. Incidentally, if you read enough from Ms. Hacker, you may believe we are all outside the rules such that you may feel spelling her name without the 'er' is suitable.
Oct 13, 2007 ; 8:47 PM
Hi, my name is Esther and I have a friend who told me that to show the singulart possessive form of a noun having one syllable ending in an -s or -z sound, place the apostrophe after the last letter and add -s. To show a singular form of a noun of more than one syllable ending in a s or z sound, add only the apostrophe. I am confused about this grammer rule. Can anyone help me?
Nov 10, 2007 ; 7:31 PM
Hi Esther,
I've never heard of that rule. If your friend can show you a grammar book that has that rule in it, I'd love to know what it's called.
Nov 10, 2007 ; 8:12 PM
I found these posts to be rather interesting... and I just wanted to add some "food for thought" on this Thanksgiving Day in regards to the possessive of Jesus.
From a theological view, Jesus can be considered plural as he's part of the Triune God; so he's part of a Plural Being.
Nov 22, 2007 ; 12:20 PM
Esther and Karl,
The Macmillan College Handbook has this rule with a slightly weaker stance. According to Macmillan, to make a singular proper noun ending in -s or -z possessive, you may always add -'s. If the proper noun ends in -s or -z and has two or more syllables ending in the same sound, you have the option of using only the apostrophe.
This sounds to me like you absolutely must have the "s" for a singular, proper, possessive noun.
I teach mathematics and a student argued with me about my spelling of "Gauss's." He insisted I should drop the "s," so I went home and busted out the old MacMillan College Handbook. Since I bought that, used, around 1990, I googled and hit this discussion. It seems this rule is still in play.
Feb 5, 2008 ; 8:19 PM
Michael Brown's paradox
Hey Michael. I think the word you're looking for is "prince". Add an "s" it becomes plural - "princes". Add another "s" it becomes singlular again - "princess".
Mar 12, 2008 ; 11:34 PM
After reading several websites I still have no answer to my question. I hear people pronouncing some plural possessive nouns and it just sounds wrong. But is it? For instance:
More than one kid is kids but when you use it in the proper possessive form is it?
1. kids' room pronounced kidz room
2. kids's room pronounced kidziz room
Mar 26, 2008 ; 4:47 PM
Sometimes one way around an obstacle like that is to take a different path. Instead of "kids" use "children"... then it's simply "children's" ... no worries! :)
Mar 26, 2008 ; 11:18 PM
How do you perform the possess for Lucas
Mar 28, 2008 ; 10:06 AM
My name is a dandy as well, I have done Charles's and pronounced it Charleses. I believe I am correct.
Apr 12, 2008 ; 4:50 PM
what's the safe and correct way to pronounce
Alice's ideas
Max's fried chicken
Apr 24, 2008 ; 7:33 AM
Gerard, I would say
Alisus ideas
Maxis fried chicken
May 30, 2008 ; 2:41 PM
Isn't "Mrs. Jones's attorney" is wrong? in my country, it is going to be "Mrs. Jone's attorney" right?(or wrong...)
Herwyn_kun
Jun 26, 2008 ; 7:04 AM
Hi Herwyn,
No, "Mrs. Jone's attorney" is not correct—unless her name is "Mrs. Jone." By the way, which country are you referring to when you write, "in my country"?
Jun 26, 2008 ; 11:48 AM
I just have a query I would like to forward as your page still seems ambiguous to me. In the case of historically derived nouns or nous ending in an 's' I have always known the singular possessive to follow in the vein of plural possessives as follows:
Jones --> Jones'
Seuss --> Seuss'
Your comments above indicate that " 's " is the appropriate solution; however, in your exception list you have a quote that implies either is acceptable. In general, I have almost categorically seen only an apostrophe appended in literary works. Pronunciation varies widely, yet the trend remains consistent. Is this incorrect?
I have also seen this applied seemingly in a random fashion to any word that ends in an s sound regardless of the actual spelling. What would your opinion on this be?
On an unprompted note, is there a strong library of reference available for grammatical rules? While good literary works provide an excellent framework, the vary too widely in style to be used as a reference. This particularly applies to quotation and semicolon applications.
Jul 25, 2008 ; 11:39 AM
If you are commenting on the outlook of a group of buildings do you write "the buildings' outlook" - with the apostrophe after the s?
Aug 20, 2008 ; 4:57 PM
the singular nouns ending in s very is use only a one person or thing,and place
Aug 24, 2008 ; 10:26 PM
I've always been told that you don't add another "s" to a name ending with an "s", but you enunciate with the "es" sound, i.e.
James' - spoke Jameses
Thomas' - spoke Thomases
The reason I was told not to add another "s" is because it looks funny to people and that a proper name shouldn't be altered. Any comments on this thought?
Also, to the point, people always say and write "towards," when the word is really "toward." It's even written in Webster's as "towards." I cannot figure out how the "s" has modified the word. I walk toward the door. I walk towards the door. has "s" made me get there faster???
The point is, there are words that are common in our language that have no place.
Another one (sorry) is ending a letter with regards. Do you have more than one regard for me I would ask?
Sep 10, 2008 ; 5:08 PM
Just a paradox -
What word can be plural when a 's' is added to it And when an additional 's' is added to the plural form it turns into a singular again?
Waiting for the answer.
Mar 22, 2007 ; 2:03 AM