Thank you, Marshall! I've been spending far too much time thinking about this.


From: "Myers, Marshall" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 5:07 PM
Subject: Re: Singular and Plural Possessive forms of Last Names and Apostrophe Placement


Let me begin the discussion by saying that I add an “s” when there is an extra syllable given to the pronunciation. Thus, “Jesus’s” is my choice if we’re referring to something belonging to “Jesus.” “Jesus’” does not account for the extra syllable that is pronounced. But I have seen it in scholarly theological journals as  “Jesus’.”  If something belongs to me (My name is Myers),  then I spell it “Myers’s” to account for  extra syllable pronounced. Consequently, I would spell the sentence: “The Jones’s house is for sale,” as in the second sentences. In my mind the third sentence refers to Joneses
 as a family consisting of several members. Who lives next door? The Joneses.
 
Marshall
From:Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carol Morrison
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 3:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Singular and Plural Possessive forms of Last Names and Apostrophe Placement
 
A friend of mine recently asked if an apostrophe should appear at the end of her family's name on a door decoration: "The Romano's." I answered no, that apostrophes are not added to names to make them plural; for example, "The Wilsons just moved into the neighborhood" or "The Changs are having a picnic." But if the last name is being used to indicate possession, then an apostrophe would be appropriate. A problem arises when deciding wehre to place the apostrophe in the following sentences:
 
1) The Jones's house is for sale.
2) The Jones' house is for sale.
3) The Joneses' house is for sale.
 
Which would be correct? Also, if the name is changed:
 
1) Tom Romano's house is for sale. 
2) The Romanos' house is for sale. (indicating that the house is owned by more than 1 Romano)
***3) The Romano's house is for sale.
 
***This is incorrect; is it not? Because it would imply that "Romano" is one person. Or are we to assume "The Romano" stands for "The Romano Family" which would be treated as a single entity, hence "The Romano's house is for sale." 
 
Thank you.
 
Carol the Confused
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