Cats'

[Super Sonic]

Hi,

I've been wondering if you pronounce a second "s" when saying " cats' " in the sentence "Cats' eyes aren't like those of dogs" In other words, " cats' " = " cats " in terms of pronunciation? Same with Metropolis', Ares' etc. Hope I made my point clear. Thanks in advance

[Clare James]

No, you don't need to make a second 's' sound for 'the cats' home' etc.
When names end in an 's' sound, like 'Nicholas', for example, when you make that into the possessive form, as in 'It's Nicholas's bag.' - then you need to make the extra 's' sound -almost like 'Nicholasiz bag.'.

[Super Sonic]

Hmm so I pronounce an extra "s" if the word is a proper name's possessive form, but I don't if it's not?

Cats' -> No extra "s" sound
Persons' -> No extra "s" sound

Lois' -> The extra "s" sound is pronounced
The United States' -> The extra "s" sound is pronounced

Am I right?

[Clare James]

You're exactly right. Though, I personally wouldn't make a possessive form with the word the United States - you usually only use the possessive for people or pets or other things you have a personal relationship with.

[Super Sonic]

I see. Thank you so much