Possessives and Sibilants

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

What is the correct way to use a possessive when a person's name ends in "s"? Is the rule the same for making possessives for plurals? (with Stargate SG-1 examples)

Let's take these one at a time.

Possessive form of words ending with sibilants (s, ch, sh, z or x)

Possessives of a singular noun are always formed by added an apostrophe and s, even if the word ends in a sibilant sound.

Jack found Anubis's frumpy hood-and-cloak ensemble to be more laughable than threatening.

The Nox's homeworld was deceptively low-tech in appearance.

The SGC was hoping the harcesis's knowledge could bring down the goa'uld.

The imprisoned team was mightily relieved to hear Col. Reynolds's voice on their radios.

Please note that it is never "Col. Reynold's voice"—the s is an integral part of his name. [Hint: When in doubt, switch formats to "the voice of Col. Reynolds." However you see the name/noun written, add the possessive after that.]


Most style books do permit the dropping of the s if it makes pronunciation extremely difficult or awkward, especially classical or biblical names ending in es, is or us. Jesus' and Moses' are commonly allowed exceptions (though I and many others personally say and write Jesus's). Other noted exceptions: Achilles' heel, Hercules' strength, Ramses' reign, Xerxes' conquest, Isis' temple. With classical names such as these (which can often come up in Stargate writing!), try speaking each option out loud and use your preferred form consistently throughout your fic: Does it sound like "Osiris ribbon device"? Then write Osiris' ribbon device. "Osirises ribbon device"? Then write Osiris's ribbon device. Use whichever one sounds right to you.


Possessive form of plural words ending with sibilants

Plurals ending in an s take only the apostrophe to form the possessive. (Do remember to pluralize your sibilant-ending names first, though. Col. Reynolds and his family are the Reynoldses.)

Daniel peered over his glasses' rims, looking bemused.

The Carters' trip to San Diego was cut short by a Tok'ra emergency call.

Watching the Lees and Coombses at the Meyerses' Festivus party made Felger all too aware he was the last single man in the science department.

[Hint: Again, try the format switch: the party at the Meyerses. The apostrophe goes after the plural form indicating the Meyers family.]


Sources:
The Chicago Manual of Style. 2003.
The American Heritage Book of English Usage. 1996.
The Elements of Style. 1918.

Comments

[hollyilex.livejournal.com]

I was taught not to add an extra 's' too but I'm old and in the UK - things change *g*. I don't say the extra 's' either - I would say "Captain Banks' butt" just as it's written (but with added drool *g*).

It's not just fanfic writers who get confused by the possessive - I know of someone who had a paper rejected by an American academic journal and one reason given (of several) was that she had not apostrophised the possessive 'its' - which I was always taught shouldn't be given an apostrophe.

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Definitely check a current British English style guide, such as The Oxford Guide to Style, to be sure, though I believe they follow the same guidelines.

Spoken English tends to vary and be more casual than written, so I don't think anyone would be aghast to hear you discussing Simon's rear and not pronouncing it as "Captain Bankses butt." They'll be too busy drooling, too. ;-)

And that journal editor should be fired! Under no circumstances, in any English-speaking country, does "it's" refer to anything other than "it is/it was/it has"!

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

After asking hubby how he would have spelt 'Gibbs's gun' we turned to the books to confirm that we Brits have the same rule. (I know from writing both British and American fanfic that not all our grammar/punctuation rules are the same).

I am now sitting here with the Oxford Book Of Style (2002) in my hands and it too confirms the rule.

It is indeed s's unless (as shown in your examples above) the name is a classical name. It says it is also permissible to only us the s' after longer non-classical names.

*Am even happier now as the rule applies in both countries*

Thank you again for this.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

Fellow Brit here (early 40s). Given that I have never not used the additional 's', I must have been taught it that way.

But then as you say teaching changes over the years and decades (and also, I know from experience, location!)

And have now confirmed it in a style book.

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Thank you for checking that!