Plurals of forenames

Question

Are these correctly written (the singular plurals of first names)?How many Thomases, Alexises, Peters, Anthonys, Dawns, Amys and Mikes are there in that college?Thank you.

Rover_KE · Accepted Answer

Yes.

Goronsky · Answer

Thank you, Rover.

Goronsky · Answer

For the plural possessive of a surname, would you concur that these are correct?

the Rogerses' house
(surname is 'Rogers')
Or should it be "the Rogers' house" for the plural possessive because 'Rogerses' is awkward?

the Hastingses' property
(surname is 'Hastings')
Or should it be "the Hastings' property"for the plural possessive because 'Hastingses' is awkward?

Correct to these four?
the Williamses' property line
the Kennedys' house
the Joneses' dog
the Goronskys' pool

And lastly, would the following be a possessive or descriptive? 1 or 2?

(1) the Stevenses' family tree
(2) the Stevens family tree

A big and appreciative thanks.

Mike

Goronsky · Answer

Look good?

Cool Breeze · Answer

goronskyLook good?

All correct.

CB

Goronsky · Answer

Thanks, CB. So both "the Stevens family tree" and "the Stevenses' family tree" are correct?

And is it "Rogerses'-Rogers' / Hastingses'/Hastings'?

Cool Breeze · Answer

goronskySo both "the Stevens family tree" and "the Stevenses' family tree" are correct?

Right.

goronskyAnd is it "Rogerses'-Rogers' / Hastingses'/Hastings'?

Oops! Sorry, I missed that, or I should say I thought you considered only the first alternatives correct.

This is the Rogerses' / the Hastingses' house.

I wasn't careful enough when I read your post. The logical rule about forming the plural genitive is simple: put an apostrophe after the plural ending.

a boy > boys: These are boys' shoes.
Tom Hastings > the Hastingses: The Hastingses live in that house. That is the Hastingses' house.

As there is no language academy or a similar institution in any English-speaking country, people don't always follow this rule, though. (But I do!

)

CB

Plurals of forenames

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