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A singular surname (person's name) could be written with just an apostrophe, as opposed to the apostrophe S.

Example :

(for Tom Jones) - Jones' or Jones's would be correct, and it is more frequently Jones'

But when a plural name is used, the apostrophe only is always used, as with plural nouns. So an apostrophe S would definitely indicate an individual rather than a family.

Example:

(for John Maples) - Maples's indicates an individual

(the family of John Maple) - Maples' is describing the Maple family

(the family of John Maples) - Mapleses' is describing the Maples family

* The proper means of forming these plurals is not standardized. As with S plurals such as witnesses', extra sibilants are awkward in spoken form. Context clues may make them unnecessary.

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11y ago
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14y ago

While many still maintain that it is only a question of style, and while language is certainly fluid, there are actually general rules in this case:

Form the singular possessive of nouns ending ins with 's: Mr. Jones's dog, Maris's foibles, James's dissertation. The only exceptions are ancient proper nouns: Jesus' disciples.

However, you form the plural possessive of nouns by adding an apostrophe after the "s": the dogs' bones, the balloons' strings, the lollipops' centers.

In the case of the plural possessive of nouns endingin s -- as in, say, the family Jones and their collective beach house -- you add an es and an apostrophe at the end: the Joneses' beach house, the Moraleses' car.

(My information comes from Strunk & White. You can find exceptions to all of these rules, but they are the generally accepted rules.)

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7y ago

Any noun (common or proper) ending in -s forms its pluralby adding an -es to the end of the noun:

  • bus to buses
  • Jones to Joneses

Any plural noun (common or proper) ending in -s forms its possessive by adding an apostrophe (') after the ending -s:

  • the buses' routes
  • the Joneses' house
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15y ago

For proper nouns ending in the letter "s" you add a " 's " (ignore the spaces, those were added for readability. So if you would like to write that something belongs to Charles you would write "Charles's shoes."

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11y ago

The singular is fairly straightforward. You would use an apostrophe S, e.g. I borrowed Bess's book.

It gets more complicated with names that already have multiple S sounds. The man named Moses owns a house and it is Moses's house, and may also be written Moses' house. According to the Elements of Style, it would have to be the original Moses to drop the extra S.

Excerpt: Exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names [ending] in -es and -is, the possessive Jesus', and such forms as for conscience' sake, for righteousness' sake. But such forms as Achilles' heel, Moses' laws, Isis' temple are commonly replaced by

the heel of Achilles

the laws of Moses

the temple of Isis

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11y ago

Possessive forms for proper nouns use the same rules as possessive common nouns:

  • An -'s is added to the end of most singular nouns.
  • For plural nouns that end with -s, just the -' is added after the ending -s to form the possessive.

Example possessive proper nouns:

  • Angela's; Angelas'
  • The Harris's; The Harrises'
  • an Oreo's filling; Oreos' filling
  • Mercedes-Benz's; Mercedes-Benzes'
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Q: What is the possessive case for words ending in s?
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What is the rule for plural possessive nouns and the apostrophe?

In the case of plural possessive nouns ending with -s, the apostrophe follows the existing "s". For example:The park was the boys' favourite spot. (Indicates that there are two or more boys)In the case of plural possessive nouns that do not end with -s, add an apostrophe -s to the end of the word. For example:The children's playground is in the park.


What is the singular possessive word for glass?

The possessive singular of all English nouns, regardless of spelling, is formed by the addition of -'s: glass's. Possessive singulars are pronounced as if they were simple plurals in -s, so that glass's is pronounced exactly like glasses.============================================================Many people will add 's to words that end in -s, it is not always correct and never correct for words ending in -ss. The general rule is that only an apostrophe is added to words ending in -s, -z or -x. Again, for plural words ending in -s just add the apostrophe.-'s is normally only added to words that end in -s where the -s is silent, e.g.Arkansas's new Governor; Illinois's former Governor; the Marine Corps's policy.


What is the Possessive form of cross?

The possessive singular of all English nouns, regardless of spelling, is formed by adding -'s: cross's ( pronounced just like the plural crosses).================================================================Many people will add 's to words that end in -s, it is not always correct and never correct for words ending in -ss. The general rule is that only an apostrophe is added to words ending in -s, -z or -x. Again, for plural words ending in -s just add the apostrophe.-'s is normally only added to words that end in -s where the -s is silent, e.g.Arkansas's new Governor; Illinois's former Governor; the Marine Corps's policy.


How do you spell others plural possessive?

The plural possessive is others'. You simply add an apostrophe to a plural ending in 's' to make it possessive.


Is tree's the possessive form of tree?

Yes, the word tree's with an aposthrophe s is the possessive singular. Example sentences: University botonists studied the tree's bark for disease. (singular possessive) University botonists studied the trees' bark for disease. (plural possessive) If a noun is plural and ends in an s, then (in most cases) you only add an apostrophie but do not add an additional s. More examples: The dress's trim had ripped. The dresses' trim had ripped. (plural possessive) The professor's attire looked professional. The professors' attire looked professional. (plural possessive) Too many people make the mistake of adding an extra s to words ending in s or double s (ss). This is not correct to create a singular or plural possessive on words ending in s or ss.

Related questions

Is the neighbor's cars are all in the driveway a singular possessive noun or plural possessive noun?

In this case, the form "neighbor's" is singularpossessive.The plural form of the noun neighbor is neighbors.The plural possessive is "the neighbors' cars".A plural noun ending is "s" form the possessive by adding an apostrophe after the ending "s".


What is insurgent's ending?

The term "insurgent's ending" is a possessive noun phrase. The apostrophe s ('s) at the end of the noun "insurgent" indicates that something belongs to the insurgent. In the case of this noun phrase, it is the "ending" of the insurgent.


How do you make a plural non-s ending noun possessive?

Usually, you add 's (for singular possessive) and s' for plural possessive.


What is the plural possessive for words ending with an 'S'?

The possessive is formed for plural nouns ending in -s by adding an apostrophe (') after the ending -s. Examples:boys; boys' (The boys' locker room is at the end of this hall.)countries; countries' (There was a meeting of the countries' delegates in Geneva.)pies; pies' (All of the pies' crusts are burned.)


Does s' come first or 's in an abc order?

In alphabetical order, words beginning with "s'" (such as "s'affirmer") typically come before words beginning with "'s" (such as "s'admirer"). However, it is important to note that the specific placement of these words can vary depending on language and dictionary conventions.


What is the possessive form of the plural noun of students assignment?

The plural possessive form is students' assignment.The apostrophe after the ending -s shows that something belongs to the students, in this case, their assignment.


What is the rule for plural possessive nouns and the apostrophe?

In the case of plural possessive nouns ending with -s, the apostrophe follows the existing "s". For example:The park was the boys' favourite spot. (Indicates that there are two or more boys)In the case of plural possessive nouns that do not end with -s, add an apostrophe -s to the end of the word. For example:The children's playground is in the park.


What is the singular possessive of the word compass?

There are two accepted forms for possessive singular nouns ending in s:Add an apostrophe (') after the existing s at the end of the word: compass'Add an apostrophe s ('s) after the existing s at the end of the word: compass'sExample:The compass' case is polished brass.The compass's case is polished brass.


What is the plural possessive form of cars?

The possessive form of the plural noun cars is cars'.The possessive of all plural English nouns ending in -s is formed by adding an apostrophe after the ending -s.


What is the singular possessive word for glass?

The possessive singular of all English nouns, regardless of spelling, is formed by the addition of -'s: glass's. Possessive singulars are pronounced as if they were simple plurals in -s, so that glass's is pronounced exactly like glasses.============================================================Many people will add 's to words that end in -s, it is not always correct and never correct for words ending in -ss. The general rule is that only an apostrophe is added to words ending in -s, -z or -x. Again, for plural words ending in -s just add the apostrophe.-'s is normally only added to words that end in -s where the -s is silent, e.g.Arkansas's new Governor; Illinois's former Governor; the Marine Corps's policy.


What is the plural possessive for the word feet?

The possessive of all English plural nouns NOT ending is -s is 's: feet's


The possessive of a plural noun ending in s is formed by adding?

You form the possessive of plurals ending in "s" by adding an apostrophe: the computers' network connections, the rabbits' ears.