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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
Apostrophe s
My general guideline (and that of many people) for adding the possessive apostrophe s to words that end in an 's' or 'z' sound is to add the 's only if you pronounce it as a syllable. Otherwise, add only the apostrophe.
Ex:
"In Jesus's name": Jesus's would be pronounced with three syllables. "In Jesus' name": *Jesus'* would be pronounced with two syllables.
In the following, seen in an online article today, I'm not so sure I would pronounce the added syllable.
"John Edwards's departure from the presidential race..."
Thus I would have added only the apostrophe, even though someone hearing me say "*John Edwards'* departure" could conclude that the man's name is John Edward.
What do you think? (And do you use the same guideline that I do?)
Note: The more I think about John Edward's, the less sure I am about how I would pronounce it. That's what happens when one thinks too much about something.
Maria Conlon
Please send any email to the Hot Mail address.
Ex:
"In Jesus's name": Jesus's would be pronounced with three syllables. "In Jesus' name": *Jesus'* would be pronounced with two syllables.
In the following, seen in an online article today, I'm not so sure I would pronounce the added syllable.
"John Edwards's departure from the presidential race..."
Thus I would have added only the apostrophe, even though someone hearing me say "*John Edwards'* departure" could conclude that the man's name is John Edward.
What do you think? (And do you use the same guideline that I do?)
Note: The more I think about John Edward's, the less sure I am about how I would pronounce it. That's what happens when one thinks too much about something.
Maria Conlon
Please send any email to the Hot Mail address.
Top answer
english: [nq:1]My general guideline (and that of many people) for adding the possessive apostrophe s to words that end in an 's' or 'z' sound is to add the 's only if you pronounce it as a syllable. [/nq] As you are about to make clear, the problem with this rule is that it is difficult to be self-consistent and much more difficult for two or more writers or editors to agree on which names use the extra syllable. For this reason editorial guidelines generally are one or the other of: 1) Add 's to all singular nouns or proper names (except for a fewBiblical or classical names) 2) Add only the ' when the noun or name ends in s - always.
- english: [nq:1]My general guideline (and that of many people) for adding the possessive apostrophe s to words that end in an 's' or 'z' sound is to add the 's only if you pronounce it as a syllable.
- [/nq] As you are about to make clear, the problem with this rule is that it is difficult to be self-consistent and much more difficult for two or more writers or editors to agree on which names use the extra syllable.
- For this reason editorial guidelines generally are one or the other of: 1) Add 's to all singular nouns or proper names (except for a fewBiblical or classical names) 2) Add only the ' when the noun or name ends in s - always.
- [nq:1]Ex: "In Jesus's name": Jesus's would be pronounced with three syllables.
- "In Jesus' name": *Jesus'* would be pronounced with two ...
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4 Answers
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In our last episode,
,
the lovely and talented Maria Conlon
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]My general guideline (and that of many people) for adding the possessive apostrophe s to words that end in an 's' or 'z' sound is to add the 's only if you pronounce it as a syllable. Otherwise, add only the apostrophe.[/nq]
As you are about to make clear, the problem with t
,
the lovely and talented Maria Conlon
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]My general guideline (and that of many people) for adding the possessive apostrophe s to words that end in an 's' or 'z' sound is to add the 's only if you pronounce it as a syllable. Otherwise, add only the apostrophe.[/nq]
As you are about to make clear, the problem with t
00
[nq:1]My general guideline (and that of many people) for adding the possessive apostrophe s to words that end in an ... less sure I am about how I would pronounce it. That's what happens when one thinks too much about something.[/nq]
My rule is like your rule, Tootsie. I would say-&write Edwards' rather than Edwards's, but on the other hand I would say&-write James's rather t
My rule is like your rule, Tootsie. I would say-&
00
[nq:2]My general guideline (and that of many people) for adding ... That's what happens when one thinks too much about something.[/nq]
[nq:1]My rule is like your rule, Tootsie. I would say-&-write Edwards' rather than Edwards's, but on the other hand I ... may be linked to the nonexistence of the "Jame" form, but surely that would lead me to reverse my preferences?[/nq]
Accented versus una
[nq:1]My rule is like your rule, Tootsie. I would say-&-write Edwards' rather than Edwards's, but on the other hand I ... may be linked to the nonexistence of the "Jame" form, but surely that would lead me to reverse my preferences?[/nq]
Accented versus una
00
[nq:1]My general guideline (and that of many people) for adding the possessive apostrophe s to words that end in an ... the man's name is John Edward. What do you think? (And do you use the same guideline that I do?)[/nq]
I think you're right.
Adrian
I think you're right.
Adrian
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