James' or James's

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

Should it be James' book or James's book?

 

[Matthew Wai]

https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/99132-apostrophe-s-or-s?p=488481&viewfull=1#post488481

 

[Rover_KE]

Click here and scroll down to the fifth entry to read lots of earlier threads on this very topic.

I found that page by entering your thread title into the Search box at the top of the page.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Thank you. I read that both can be used. What about other names like Jesus, Carlos, Luis, etc? Will both forms be correct too?

 

[teechar]

Although both may be acceptable, I prefer "James's".
This is because:
1- There's no need to learn and use a sub-rule for names ending in "s" or "z".
2- There's no chance of mispronouncing "James's" (dʒeɪmzəz) as "James" (dʒeɪmz).

 

[Matthew Wai]

I searched for apostrophe s and found this https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/266181

 

[Glizdka]

Not a teacher
------
I was taught the s is written when it's pronounced, so Charles's, Jesus's, boss's, children's, parents'.

Am I correct?

 

[Tdol]

Thank you. I read that both can be used. What about other names like Jesus, Carlos, Luis, etc? Will both forms be correct too?

Are they first names or surnames?

 

[Tarheel]

Not a teacher
------
I was taught the s is written when it's pronounced, so Charles's, Jesus's, boss's, children's, parents'.

Am I correct?

I think you are. I know that when people say Jesus' they don't pronounce an additional syllable.

 

[TheParser]

Should it be James' book or James's book?

NOT A TEACHER




Hello, Ms. Adams:

1. Would you write or say "This is Tom book?" Of course, not. You would refer to "Tom's book."

2. Since "James" ends in an "s" sound, you would refer to "Jameses" book. It would sound strange to ask "Do you know where James book is?"

a. But I think that it is accurate to say that most Americans in 2019 write "James' book." Hopefully, they pronounce it as "Jameses." In writing, many people consider the extra "s" as unnecessary clutter. Because I am very old (82 years old), I feel more comfortable following the traditional rule: "This is James's book."

 

[Tarheel]

You're not that old.

 

[Rachel Adams]

NOT A TEACHER




Hello, Ms. Adams:

1. Would you write or say "This is Tom book?" Of course, not. You would refer to "Tom's book."

2. Since "James" ends in an "s" sound, you would refer to "Jameses" book. It would sound strange to ask "Do you know where James book is?"

a. But I think that it is accurate to say that most Americans in 2019 write "James' book." Hopefully, they pronounce it as "Jameses." In writing, many people consider the extra "s" as unnecessary clutter. Because I am very old (82 years old), I feel more comfortable following the traditional rule: "This is James's book."

Thank you very much, TheParser. I read in my book that in the plural it is unnecessary to add an additional 's'. For example, ''My parents' books''. I wasn't sure about singular nouns. Was it common to write an additional 's even when a word was in plural? For example, was ''My parents's books'' form ever possible?

 

[Rachel Adams]

I was thinking about first names, Tdol.

​

 

[Tarheel]

For example, was ''My parents's books'' form ever possible?

Yes, it's possible (and preferable) now.

(Why so much typing?)

 

[Rover_KE]

...was ''My parents's books'' form ever possible?

Yes, it's possible (and preferable) now.

:shock: Really?

 

[TheParser]

Was it common to write an additional 's even when a word was in plural? For example, was ''My parents's books'' form ever possible?

NOT A TEACHER


Oh, no way!

1. The students' favorite teacher was Mr. Chips.

2. The movies' most famous award is the Oscar.

3. The visitors' center can help you. (Also nowadays in the United States: "visitors center" [ no apostrophe] or "visitor's center" or even "visitor center.")

 

[Tdol]

I was thinking about first names, Tdol.

​

Different styleguides make different recommendations. Some say that classical or religious names don't take the -s. Others recommend writing it. Try to be consistent. If you write Jesus' in one paragraph, don't write Jesus's in the next.

 

[Rachel Adams]

I see. Thank you. But why is "James's" pronounced as /dʒeɪmzəz, if the 's is pronouned like a plural ending? I thought it is /dʒeɪmzɪz/ :shock:.

 

[Tarheel]

The last word. If I pronounce that syllable I use the apostrophe+s. If not, I don't.