![]() When the noun ends in a CONSONANT + Y, we remove Y and add -IES to the noun. When the noun ends in a VOWEL + Y, we add -S to the noun. * With words that end in Z sometimes we add an extra Z to the plural form of the word (such as with the plural of quiz).Ģ. When the noun ends in S, SH, CH, X or Z*, we add -ES to the noun. Moses leadership, Hercules' wife.) For names that end in z or x, grammarians suggest adding an apostrophe and an s ( e.g. ![]() the Obamas' dog.) For biblical and antiquity names, add only an apostrophe ( e.g. ![]() However, if the proper name is plural, add juts an apostrophe ( e.g. Charles's dog) or just an apostrophe ( e.g. But as a rule of thumb, add an apostrophe as well as an s ( e.g. The traditional exceptions that take apostrophe alone are the following:Īs you can see, the formation of the possessive case of proper nouns may be confusing. The Smiths' car Religious and Greek names.The possessive with plural namesįor plural names, the rule is to add only an apostrophe: Note: The same rule applies to proper names ending in x: add an apostrophe and an s. The possessive case for proper nouns ending in zįor proper nouns ending z, most grammar books suggest adding an apostrophe followed by an s: I wouldn't mind helping Carlos's wife.You can add just the apostrophe or an apostrophe and an s to a proper name that ends in an s. Chris ’s car (The Chicago Manual of Style and The APA Publication Manual.)īoth the above forms are correct.Chris' car (The Chicago Manual of Style.).The possessive case for nouns ending in sįor proper nouns ending in s, form the possessive either by simply adding an apostrophe or adding an apostrophe and another s. In what follows, we provide the generally accepted rules to form the possessive case of proper nouns and help you clear up the confusion. The rule for forming the possessive case of names ending in s, z and x is generally to add an apostrophe and s (e.g., James's father, Gomez's husband.) There is, however, a difference between The Associated Press Stylebook, The APA Publication Manual, and The Chicago Manual of Style about how to handle possessive of names ending in s and z.įor the Associated Press Stylebook, you have to add an apostrophe for both singular and plural names:īy contrast, the Chicago Manual of Style and The APA Publication Manual suggest we add an apostrophe and an s if the name is singular, but add only an apostrophe if it is plural:Īs you can see, it is a question of the manual style you adopt. Names ending in s, z, and x according to the different manuals of style It is also confusing whether to add another s for plural proper nouns as in the Joneses. The confusion arises when the nouns end in s or z as in James and Gomez. I have a problem understanding Nancy 's message.The basic rules for possessive nouns are quite simple. Moses' leadership - After biblical and antiquity names ending in s, add just an apostrophe.įirst, let us start with the basic rule of the possessive case. Religious and antiquity names Jesus' love Plural names The Joneses' house - Add only an apostrophe for plural names. ![]() If the name ends in z or x, add an apostrophe and an s. If the name ends in s, add just an apostrophe or add an apostrophe and an s. For names not ending in s, z, or x, simply add an apostrophe and an s. If you are looking for a summary, here is a table that wraps up all the rules to form the possessive case of proper nouns: Proper Nouns Possessive Case Examples Explanation Names not ending in s, z, or x Alan's car. This page will attempt to clear up the confusion. Deciding on the proper use is not as simple as other grammatical rules. The possessive noun formation for words ending in s, z, or x is one of the most passionately discussed grammatical topics in the English language.
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