What is correct way to show possession?
Lucas's shoe or Lucas' shoe?
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Hmm not sure. I know it's always Jesus' but I don't know if others are as standardized.
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Say it aloud and see if you hear yourself pronouncing another s or not. In your example you would, so the first option is correct. Although technically I think it's one of those thing where neither is really incorrect, but generally that's the preferred way.
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@autumnlove: I've read that both are fine, as long as you're consistent!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/possessives.htmPersonally, I always leave off the extra s. Lucas' shoe works for me.
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I used to always do s' but more recently have switched over to
S's. So stupid but I just noticed it everywhere...like it's Bridget Jones's Diary -
@mrbee: both ways look weird!
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Ha, we nixed any names ending in S because this makes me so crazy! I choose one, stare at it so long it looks wrong and then get frustrated!
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I think I remember a rule that was based on the final sound. It it was a Z sound you didn't need a 's. So it would be Charles' shoe, but Lucas's shoe.
Or you could say the shoe of Lucas.
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Apparently, the double s is preferred now?! I remember being taught Lucas' in school.
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I think both are correct. My son's name ends in S and I always write it s'.
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The way we teach it now is that if it ends in s it is s's unless you are writing Jesus'.
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Lucas's shoe
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I learned that if it was a one syllable name, you add the 's, and if it's longer, you leave the s off. For example:
Hess's
Thomas' -
@autumnlove: our last name ends with an s and it drives me frickin bonkers. I always just write from the SS Family. That way I don't have to figure out what to do. Now, for a first name, then it's tricky...I just try not to get into that situation.
Like instead of Lucas's(es)(') birthday party, I would just turn it around and write, a party for Lucas!
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Thanks everyone!
@lovehoneybee: I avoided S ending names tooo!
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Both my maiden name and married last names end is s. I always leave off the extra S.
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S'S
If the word naturally ends in s, you follow the s with an apostrophe and another s.
If it's a plural, it's just an apostrophe.
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@singingbee: public school is teaching an exception for Jesus?
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My new married name ends in S and I have to Google how to write it almost every time.
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I would do Lucas's.
@singingbee: Lol why an exception for Jesus? I'm Christian and I find that odd.
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I learned S' so that's the way I always do it.
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The way I was taught is only s' is correct. I don't know if that's true anymore (or ever was), but honestly I think s's looks stupid
too many ssssssss
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Regardless of the last letter, singular nouns get [noun]'s. Plural nouns get [noun]'s if the noun does NOT end in the letter s and [noun]' if it DOES end in the letter s.
So:
Single noun NOT ending in the letter s / Plural noun ending in the letter s:
[Single]: The fish's fins are colorful.
[Plural]: The fishes' fins are colorful.Single noun ending in the letter s / Plural noun ending in the letter s:
[Single]: The boss's assistant answered the phone.
[Plural]: The bosses' assistant answered the phone..Single noun ending in the letter s / Plural noun NOT ending in the letter s:
[Single]: The cactus's thorns are sharp.
[Plural]: The cacti's thorns are sharp. -
@yoursilverlining: me too. My friend's son has a name that ends with S and her DH thinks James's is wrong....and she thinks James' is wrong.
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@ElbieKay: thanks!
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@pui: I think it's just a standard academic practice! But it's good to know the exceptions, like it's St. Andrews in Scotland, not St. Andrew's.
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@jedeve: But I assume she meant when using Jesus regularly, like in a normal sentence? Like I'd assume if it's correct to write "Lucas's friends" it would also be correct to write "Jesus's friends".
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@pui: nope, it's only ever Jesus'. (That religious studies degree comes in handy in times like this, lol!)
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@jedeve: Hm, I don't get why, but ok! Does that apply to any other religious figure too whose name ends in S? Like would it also be "James' friends" and "Thomas' friends"?
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@pui: I think religious and classical figures. Like "Achilles' heel." I think it was just that the single s' used to be more common, so that's what became standard academically, nothing about a special exception.
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@jedeve: Ok so then the rule isn't "in all cases but Jesus" but really "in all cases except when referring to a classical/religious figure".
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This is why it drives me crazy to have a last name ending in S! I'm secretly worried that no matter which way I write it, people will think it is wrong!
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@lawbee11: <--- this. Exception: classic names like Jesus or Zeus are "Jesus' teachings."
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I never thought of this when picking out names and Lukas is my sons name.
I haaaaate it! I try every which way before ever resorting to s'. LOL
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@Mrs. Blue: @pui: @MsLipGloss: this is what I get for typing a quick response on little sleep. Yes, the exception is religious/classical figures. I teach at a private school.
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@singingbee: *phew* We wouldn't want Zeus, Copernicus, or Brahms left out in the cold!
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@ElbieKay: exactly! Even though there is still some debate about this tricky question, I am a firm believer in your explanation
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@MsLipGloss: definitely!!!!!
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Now I know never to name a kid with an S at the end of their name!
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I am so happy to see this thread. My married last name ends in S and I have asked DH a number of times how you write the possessive - he always seems to change the subject... I feel so silly not being sure about how to write the possessive of my own name!
Here is one more for you. I will use Smith and Jones as an example.
If you want to say something like "Merry Christmas from the Smiths" What would be the equivalent for a last name like Jones? Jonses? I always resort to "from the Jones Family"
too many ssssssss
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55 comments