This is my first foray into these e-discussions, so hello to one and
all.  I like the rules and qualifications on the use of the possessive.
I remember my college literature professor's hard and fast rule, which I
always enjoyed, in determining the use of the possessive: if the
pronounciation of a word was made awkward by an extra "s"--such as "the
pizzas's toppings bubbled" (you try pronouncing it!)--then the extra "s"
is appropriately omitted.  What do you all think?

>>> "Martha Kolln" <[log in to unmask]> 12/11/00 04:14PM >>>
Kirstin:

I agree with Richard that when you add a syllable you normally add the
s,
even when the word ends in a double s:  Betsy Ross's flag; Hoss's
Steak
House.  The questionable occasions are those in which the word has two
sibilant sounds, as in Jesus or Texas.  When these are possessive, they
are
often written without the s, probably because that third s is not
sounded:
Texas' laws; Jesus' followers.

As with many punctuation conventions, you will find variations in the
s
possessive.

Martha Kolln





>Hi!
>
>Here's a new question to throw out.  When you have a singular noun
that ends
>in s, to turn it into a possessive, do you add only the apostrophe,
or
>apostrophe "s"?  For example: Christopher Columbus' birthday or is it
>Christopher Columbus's birthday?
>
>-Kirstin Schwartz
>Washington International School
>[log in to unmask]
>
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