The possesive, S apostrophe. Which way should it be?

Question

Hi Folks, I have a question. I'm writing a science article (UK) and the title is: 'Gamma-Ray Bursts, Mass Extinctions and Goldilocks' Search For A New Home'.

Now, I have a dilemna I can't seem to get my head around. Should the possesive of Goldilocks be, Goldilocks' or Goldilocks's?

S apostrophe always catches me out. Now I think it should be Goldilocks's, but I'm not sure. What do you think?

Your help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

Paul

Clive · Accepted Answer

Goldilocks's

GPY · Answer

I think it is a matter of personal style or preference, but I would write Goldilocks'.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Goldilocks's

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/possessives.htm

You should know that most words that end in an unpronounced "s" form their possessive by adding an apostrophe + s. So we would write about "Illinois's next governor" and "Arkansas's former governor" and "the Marine Corps's policy." However, many non-English words that end with a silent "s" or "x" will form their possessives with only an apostrophe. So we would write "Alexander Dumas' first novel" and "this bordeaux' bouquet." According to the New York Public Library's Guide to Style and Usage, there are "certain expressions that end in s or the s sound that traditionally require an apostrophe only: for appearance' sake, for conscience' sake, for goodness' sake". Incidentally, the NYPL Guide also suggests that when a word ends in a double s, we're better off writing its possessive with only an apostrophe: the boss' memo, the witness' statement. Many writers insist, however, that we actually hear an "es" sound attached to the possessive forms of these words, so an apostrophe -s is appropriate: boss's memo, witness's statement. If the look of the three s's in a row doesn't bother you, use that construction.
When we want the possessive of a pluralized family name, we pluralize first and then simply make the name possessive with the use of an apostrophe. Thus, we might travel in the Smiths' car when we visit the Joneses (members of the Jones family) at the Joneses' home. When the last name ends in a hard "z" sound, we usually don't add an "s" or the "-es" and simply add the apostrophe: "the Chambers' new baby."

I'm writing a science article (UK) and the title is: 'Gamma-Ray Bursts, Mass Extinctions and Goldilocks' Search For A New Home'.
A couple of notes:
1. If you are publishing this, the editor will make sure that it conforms to their style guide.
2. If Goldilocks is an allegory, then don't use the possessive.
... and a Goldilocks Search For A New Home...

The possesive, S apostrophe. Which way should it be?

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