Apostrophe (s)

Even natives don't agree on this.

I would write Max's house every single time and I would say it as "Max-iz."
I also write things like James's car.

By 'THIS', you mean, the only correct answer is 'Max's house', right?

Please write back!

AnonymousMy teacher told me that the only correct answer is 'Max's house'. But i think they are both correct.

Is he wrong?

While Max' house may be technically correct according to a style manual or two that you might be able to find, it seems exceedingly odd to my ear.

As I said, native speakers don't agree on what's "correct." As Jim said, you may be able to find a style guide or two that says that Max' is okay.

Neither Jim nor I would say it or write it that way.

Thank you, thank you!



One more question. What about 'kids'?



Is it 'the kids's room'?

The word "kids" is a standard plural word, so the possessive apostrophe goes after the s.

One kid: It's my kid's room.

Two kids: It's the kids' room.

It's the singular words that end in an s, x, ch, or sh (in letters or in sound) that create this disagreement.

Max's seems right...with it being pronounced Maxiz...the 's is sometimes avoided with a name ending with the letter s (eg in James and James's) to avoid too many essiz in writing...I don't think that is done with a name ending with the letter X...