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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > the possessive case
the possessive case
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racim
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the possessive case
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Dear teachers, Can we use the �s after first names ending in "s"
for example = Whose car is it ? It is James � . or : It is James �s. or both are correct ? and how about surnames endind in "s" ?is it the same ? for example = Whose car is it ? It is the Smiths � . or : It is the Smiths �s . or both are correct ?
Thanks for your help |
8 Jan 2014
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MoodyMoody
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For singular proper names ending with s, you may use either a bare apostrophe or an apostrophe plus s. I usually tell my students to use the apostrophe and s so they don �t need to remember exceptions. So I would say "It is James �s" or "It is Mr. Williams �s." (Williams is a surname that ends with s.)
Plural proper names are treated the same as plural common nouns, with a bare apostrophe. For your second example, I would answer "It is the Smiths �." (Smith does not end with s, and the Smiths refers to the couple or the family.) If you have a surname that ends with s in the singular, then you make it plural before adding the apostrophe: "It is the Williamses �." However, as a side note, if the last name ends with y, do not change the y to I or add es for the plural. Example: "It is the Moodys �." |
8 Jan 2014
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rashou
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the � is used only with plurals ending in s
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9 Jan 2014
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MoodyMoody
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That �s true, rashou. However, racim specifically asked about people �s (there �s an example of what you mentioned) names, and names always use s for the plural. |
9 Jan 2014
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yanogator
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I completely agree with MoodyMoody. It is simplest to teach students to use �s for all singular nouns, and definitely correct. More complicated rules are also correct, but why complicate matters? Bruce |
9 Jan 2014
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