Apostrophes punctuation rules blue book of grammar. The standard pattern is to treat the two partners as a single unita coupleand put an apostrophe only after the last name. If a word is both plural and possessed, it gets an s followed by an apostrophe. Thus, if i wanted my last name to show possession it would need to say. Usually, the plural of a name ending is s or z is signified by adding es. Our post apostrophes with names ending in s, ch, or z says, to show the plural of a name that ends with a ch, s, or z sound, add es to show plural possession of a name ending in s, ch, or z, form the plural first. How to pluralize last nameseven tricky ones ending in s. Ontario training network grammar tip apostrophes with. For instance, four men named john are four johns, and the hats the johns are wearing are the four johns hats. Therefore, your mom will need to write welcome to the michaelses. Aug 15, 20 apostrophes in science fiction and fantasy names are often attributed to anne mccaffrey, whose popular dragonriders of pern series included character names such as flar. If your goal is simply pluralization, however, forgo the apostrophe.
Dragonflight, the first book in the series was published in 1968, but appeared in short story form in analog science fiction magazine in late 1967. Its worth noting that it was not always so, and that classical names are often written with just a trailing apostrophe socrates writings, jesus love. For instance, do not make the name andrews possessive by putting the apostrophe between the w and the s andrews. Dont use it unless you want to make clear the mertzes, for example, own something. How come there is an apostrophe in some surnames like oneal. Because i was taught how to write in the 1950s i will continue to add an apostrophe to my last name and its on a sign saying the brooks in my motherinlaws front yard. I think marmaladequeens grammar book is ambitious in trying to apply logic to english, but that is the modern convention. Apostrophes quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. How do you use an apostrophe with last name ending in z answers. A 1772 edition of joseph priestleys the rudiments of english grammar, for example, says the possessive is formed by adding s with an apostrophe before it to a singular noun. May 19, 2016 when writing about jointly owned objects, people often fret about where to place apostrophes. In recent times there has been an increasing tendency to drop the apostrophe.
If the name of a singular owner ends in the letter s, you may add only an apostrophe, not an apostrophe and another s. By contrast, when two or more nouns separately possess something, add an apostrophe to each noun listed. If we stop to think about it, most of us know that apostrophes make words possessive, not. Sometimes, its called the grocers apostrophe because of how frequently it is spotted in grocery store advertisements 3 oranges for a dollar. And yes, those pesky last names that end in s are extra confusing this time of year. Long, long ago, the irish had several forms of patronymic names. For example, you would write about the joneses house when speaking of the familys house. When used with names, theres a difference in usage of the apostrophe between a single proper name and a plural proper name. See more ideas about grammar humor, grammar and punctuation and misspelled tattoos. Do i use an apostrophe when saying my fathers name is. The members of the johnson and smith families, for instance, are the johnsons and the smiths, not the johnsons and the smiths. How to use apostrophes with nouns, pronouns, abbreviations, last names, first names, contractions, and more. Just like other plural nouns, names that have been pluralized need only the apostrophe no added s to make them possessive, and you pluralize the names even if they already end in s.
Dont use an apostrophe to make your last name plural. Apostrophe english grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary. I dont know why, its just the way i am and theres nothing i can do about it. Charleses, joneses, gonzalezes similarly, the chicago manual of style states flatly. When to use an apostrophe when your last name ends with an s. My last name is karsies and i am a 4th grade teacher who is a grammar fanatic. To make everyday life and special occasions brightest, follow this simple rule of grammar. The plural choice always without apostrophe, unless showing ownership or possession depends upon letter combinations. Examples include one with a singular noun ending in s venuss beauty. More grammar comics from the oatmeal thanks to library lady jane for all her help in writing these grammar guides over the years. For each of the following, choose the correct sentence. Add es for names ending in s or z and add s for everything else. It literally pains me just to see it being used incorrectly. How to make your last name plural english grammar revolution.
How come there is an apostrophe in some surnames like o. I went to the editorinchief house for dinner last night. Care must be taken to place the apostrophe outside the word in question. Making a last name plural should never involve an apostrophe. If the apostrophe appears before the letter s then it may denote that the possessive case is singular, i. Yes, the letter after the apostrophe should be capitalised. With very few exceptions, apostrophes do not make nouns plural.
Most nouns ending in s are pluralized by adding es. With quite a few big holidays looming, many people are gearing up to send holiday greeting cards, so this is the perfect time to remind everyone how to make last names plural. Apostrophes and plural names with examples grammar monster. Byrnes book back then you put a apostrophe in front of s. The thomases this residence belongs to two or more people who all have the family name of thomas. When and where do you use apostrophes announcingit.
For other nouns, youd put just an apostrophe at the end, so if you had a bunch of cats and they had beds, you say that those are the cats beds, or if your parents shared a car, you would say it is your parents car. If your last name ends in ch but is pronounced with a hard k sound, like the word monarch, add only an s rather than es. May 10, 2019 if you are using the names of two different people in a possessive form, you add the apostrophe and the s only to the second name mary and sallys red blouses. As for what to tack on, usually you only have to add an s to the end of their entire last name even if the last letter is y. Dec 04, 2015 like all the best grammar and language books, including my own, this one falls foul of muphrys law. Last names plurals and possessives names are nouns, and they are made plural and possessive like other regular nouns. If the possessive involves a last name with s or z, you can add either. Until now, i always assumed that a singular noun ending in s needed an apostrophe then an s to show possession. A persons name is the most personal thing they have. Apostrophes in science fiction and fantasy names are often attributed to anne mccaffrey, whose popular dragonriders of pern series included character names such as flar.
The s is appended to the principal word egthe plural is brothersinlaw. Names of persons and other proper nons form the plural in the. Apostrophes for dummies skebes grammar rules for dummies. Apr 01, 2018 if your last name ends with s, z, x, ch or sh, simply add es to make it plural. The chicago manual of style online is the venerable, timetested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. Note that if the word is a classical greek name, or a historical figure or building, an apostrophe only is sometimes preferred. Apostrophe rules can be broken into four main categories.
Mar 21, 2020 do you put an apostrophe after a last name that ends in s. For proper names, you add the apostrophe s to the end. Even if the computer system is sophisticated enough to welcome an obrien or alkurd, the name must be stored in the database, where a hyphen or apostrophe is often mistaken for a piece of. Using an unnecessary apostrophe to form the plural of a noun is a very common mistake. Where do you put the apostrophe after names that end in s.
I went to the editorinchiefs house for dinner last night. Where a business name is based on a family name it should in theory take an apostrophe, but many leave it out contrast sainsburys with harrods. Do you put an apostrophe after a last name that ends in s. Pet peeves, apostrophes, and plural family names writeshop. First, add es or s to write the familys last name in plural form. How would you go about putting the possessive for family namesfor example. If your goal is to make your last name possessive, then, by all means, use an apostrophe. On a party invitation, the event location is the hays house. Read on to discover all the apostrophe rules youll ever need to know. In these examples, you notice that the apostrophe is used to show that a singular noun owns something aunts, pen. Classically, it is not correct to just add an apostrophe to a last name that already ends in s if it is singular possessive. If the singular noun happens to end in one s or even two, you still just add an apostrophe and an s. For names that end in ch, s, sh, x, and z, add es to make them plural. You cant add an apostrophe before an s when the surname ends in s.
The book, common sense or more specifically the authorship of the book, belongs equally to lederer and shore, so only the second name, shore, takes the apostrophe and s. Unless you want to make your last name possessive, there arent any circumstances where you would need to add an apostrophe. The rules for using apostrophes with names are basically the same as those for all other nouns. When to use an apostrophe when your last name ends with an s duplicate shortly after my wedding day my wonderful motherinlaw sat me down to say that my new name barnes was to be spelled in christmas cards love from the barnes. But when signing your familys last name on a thankyou note, greeting card, letter, email, christmas card, etc. The right way to use an apostrophe in illustrated form. If you wanted to suggest the residence of the browns you would have to write the browns, with the apostrophe after the s, which is there to indicate a plural number. You cannot add an apostrophe before an s when the surname ends in s. The salvation armys headquarters are located down the street. If your last name ends in s, x, z, a soft ch, or sh, add an es to the end instead. For instance, do not make the name andrews possessive by putting the apostrophe. The ralston valley mustangs are located in colorado. Imagine that your last name is woods and you teach english grammar. But although this rule seems straightforward, one thing that trips up many writers is how to form possessives when the name being used ends with an s.
The apostrophe has been partnered up with the letter s in a few different roles over the last 500 years, and as with many relationships the goalposts have shifted a little over time. The practice of putting improper apostrophes in family names on signs in front yards is an endless source of confusion. Nov 25, 2014 if your goal is to make your last name possessive, then, by all means, use an apostrophe. At last, a book that tells you exactly where to stick your. Apostrophe in your name can cause a world otrouble the. The first rulethe most important thing to remember when working with surnames a persons last name is do not change a persons name. If your last name ends in any other letter including y, simply add an s. If a name ends in ch, sh, s, x, z, an es gets added to form the plural most of the time.
Jan 21, 20 the thomases a family with the last name of thomas resides here. Think of the apostrophe as a little hand, holding on to an s to indicate ownership or possession. The first rulethe most important thing to remember when. Some english reference books recommend the former approach and some the latter, and. Newest apostrophe questions page 3 english language.
The stamp press the illusive apostrophe has long been a source of frustration for many. If you use one persons name and a pronoun for the other person, add the apostrophe and s only to the name jimmys and her favorite movies. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to reallife, entertaining examples. Nov 19, 2019 dont change the spelling of your last name and dont add an apostrophe. When do you add an apostrophe in a surname answers. The possessive form is created by adding s to the end, regardless of whether it is singular. Another widely used technique is to write the word as we would speak it. How to make your last name plural on holiday cards and avoid. Rules for plural and possessive names merriamwebster.
How to show possession for nouns that end in s dummies. Nov 01, 2006 be carefulthe last name is not plural by itself. My nextdoor neighbour s dog was barking away like mad. If your last name feels really confusing, ending with a ys, like in mays or humphreys, dont panicthe rule is always the same. David, the first name jacques is pronounced with a silent s, but you seem to be talking about jacques as a surname. For your last name, it ends in s, so just add the es. Names based on a first name are more likely to take an apostrophe, but this is not always the case. Grammar guides can differ on how to use apostrophes, but if you follow these rules, youll get it right. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif. Depending on the last letter of the name, simply add s or es. If you are unsure where to insert the apostrophe when forming a contraction, consult a. Forming possessives with singular names apa style blog. Mary and johns house the house belongs to both mary and john, edward and madeleines books the books belong to both edward and madeleine. Misplaced apostrophes can indicate that one person owns something that really belongs to more than one, or they can turn a plural noun into a possessive.
Where to place the possessive apostrophe in a surname. Add more owners and you still use only one apostrophe. We use apostrophes to write about oprahs new recommendation, j. In current english usage, apostrophes signify possessives, not pluralization. When indicating the possessive, if there is more than one owner add an apostrophe to the plural, if there is one owner, add s to the singular the smiths car vs smiths car. Plural and possessive forms with names ending in y grammar blog. You also see a phrase where the apostrophe indicates that plural nouns own something lovers letters. If your name ends in s, x, z, ch, or sh, add es to the end.
Instead, youre making your last name plural to indicate that the card is from all of your family members the smiths. Like all the best grammar and language books, including my own, this one falls foul of muphrys law. Apostrophe english grammar today cambridge dictionary. Apostrophes with names ending in s, ch, or z grammar and. If wilson lived by him or herself, the plaque would read wilsons owns it or just wilson resides there depending on the interpretation you wanted to provide. Walsh becomes walshes, and malkovich becomes malkoviches. How to make your last name plural on holiday cards and.
If im talking about our family i would refer to the hodges perhaps not strictly correct but easier to say and write than hodgeses. How do you form the plural of a proper noun that ends in y such as murphy. I dont care whether its james or john, jones or smith. Apostrophes punctuation rules grammar and punctuation. Some people will add an apostrophe and another s, while others just use an apostrophe without another s. The logic is that all names should be treated the same. Over at grammar girl, fogarty looks at the influence of writers like anne mccaffrey androger zelanzy, as well as the possible impact of realworld names, such as.
Oct 29, 2015 when you consider apostrophes, the first word that probably comes to mind is possessive because our gradeschool teachers taught us that apostrophes make things possessivemore specifically, apostrophes make nouns possessive. Possessive of proper names ending in s daily writing tips. How to make your last name plural everything after z by. All you have to do is remember that if theres ownership or possession, then the word should take apostrophe s. Adding an apostrophe makes the last name possessive, which is unnecessary in this case. These rules mean you should write out any last name in full, whether its williams or garcia, and simply tack something onto the endagain, no apostrophe necessary. Ok, lets get the most important piece of the puzzle out of the way first. If there are many the word is plural, then just an s will do. According to, the nerds of the world will argue heatedly on the subject for eternity, but the most roundly accepted rule is to include the apostrophe, along with an extra s. Like most things, exceptions are possible, like when an end sound turns more toward a z than an s. I dont think that im revealing a big grammar secret by letting you know that the possessive of a singular name is formed by adding an apostrophe and an s e. On a return address is using an apostrophe on a last name. In grammarspeak, this is called the possessive case.
Add an apostrophe and an s to the last word of a compound noun to form the possessive. When the possessor is an inanimate object rather than a living thing, the apostrophe is not used and the word order is changed. Now that you know exactly when and where to add an apostrophe, your holiday greetings will not only be jolly but also grammatically correct. Kate brannen is a university of missouri journalism school grad who blogs about grace, pop culture.
So, the proper grammar is from the smiths or the smiths invite you. Christmas cards and apostrophes in your last name dont. Why are there so many apostrophes in scifi and fantasy names. To indicate joint possession, add the appropriate possessive sign an apostrophe plus s or an apostrophe alone to the final name. Then, add an apostrophe at the end to show possession.