One contradiction I discovered in The Elements of Style is in regards to the first item the book covers, possessive singular of nouns.
The book mentions that regardless what the noun’s last consonant is, you should always complete it with ’s. For example:
- James’s friend
- Burns’s poems
- the witch’s malice
- Joe’s book
I remember in high school, long after this book was initially published that I was taught that the above was wrong and that if the final consonant was an s then the only an apostrophe should be added. For example:
- James’ friend
- Burns’ poems
- the witch’s malice
- Joe’s book
Have times changed? A note to everyone that I live in Canada so I’m not sure of the English writing rules could be different here.
What does everyone think of the above?
9 responses so far ↓
thejinx // May 31, 2008 at 8:55 am
I have never found any consistent rules regarding this, and I’ve looked it up, as I have questioned it, too. I’m a little bothered by seeing the two Ss like that, but not quite as much as having a lone apostrophe to indicate single possession, so personally, I tend to use ’s even if the noun ends in S.
Rachel Russell // May 31, 2008 at 11:24 am
Adding a ’s when the ending consonant is already such just seems redundant to me, not to mention that it makes the word look completely alien to me.
I was taught the second example in school, and so I shall happily continue to follow this form. Also, it bears mentioning that nearly every author I’ve ever read uses the second example as well. If it’s good enough for George R. R. Martin, then who am I to question the grammatical rule?
nymeria87 // May 31, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Given that English grammar has undergone some changes I’d definitely go with the ‘ only when the noun ends with an s. Anything else just looks wrong to me IMO. Besides I’m pretty sure that’s how both Americans and Brits do it.
Just my two cents
Don // May 31, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I agree with you all, I have never seen an ’s after s so I will keep with my tradition as well.
Robert Walker // May 31, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Ha! That’s interesting that “they’re” now saying to do the s’s thing, as I, too, believe that I learned to just use just a ‘ after an s. Then again, I also remember learning that it was okay to do it either way. Ah, the confusion!
This is actually something that I had to deal with recently, since the name of one of my main characters ends in an s. I checked my manuscript, and I did just put a ‘ at the end of his name. I think I tried it the other way and I just didn’t like how it looked.
Don // May 31, 2008 at 4:44 pm
@Robert: This is not a new development. The book, The Elements of Style, its first edition is in 1918 I think.
Robert Walker // May 31, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Well, there you go, Elements of Style! Get with the times!
nymeria87 // June 1, 2008 at 4:11 pm
talk about archaic reference books. Seriously, referring to grammar, go with the most recent stuff
Don // June 1, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Well it does get a regular updates. And it is a very good book. Stephen King uses it and so do many other authors.