Gerald refers to a common and commonly overlooked phonological process that contributes to both the spelling and the pronunciation problem of possessives with nouns ending in –s or –z.  The process is called haplology and is the simplification of two identical or very similar sequential syllables to one.  For example, linguists sometimes call the process “haplogy,” a slightly lame pun that illustrates the process.  (There’s a whole set of such linguistic puns but that’s a different source of pain.)

We don’t like to say “Jesus’s robe” or “the Andrewses’ house” because of the sequence of sibilant syllables, and so these are frequently said as “Jesus’ robe” and “the Andrews’ house.”  I don’t think we can say with any certainty that the problem today is simply phonological or simply orthographic; those two domains tend to interact in complex, messy ways, and so judgments of careful writers and speakers will be similarly complex and messy.

Herb   

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of GERALD W WALTON
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 6:12 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Singular and Plural Possessive forms of Last Names and Apostrophe Placement

If we said "Mark Jones's house is for sale," the "s's" would be correct, yes?

Yes. And there are people who would say just “Mark Jones’ house, just as some would say Jesus’ teaching rather than Jesus’s. Sometimes I think there are too many sibilant sounds when one uses “s’s.” A friend and I differ when speaking of a house owned by Lonnie Andrews.  I just write, and say, “Lonnie Andrews’ house” because I don’t like the zzz of “Lonnie Andrews’s house.” I even write “Leland Fox’ house” rather than “Leland Fox’s house.”

On occasion I used to tell my students to bring examples of incorrect use of apostrophes just by looking at signs on mailboxes or welcome mats. Next-door neighbor has “The William’s” on their mailbox. I wonder which of the Williamses is meant and exactly what he or she is possessing. Take a look at the Christmas cards you get, if you get Christmas cards. My guess is that you will have examples of “the Anderson’s,” “the Smith’s,” etc., etc.

gww