Pesky Apostrophe

[Tyree]

After reading your piece "The Possessive Apostrophe (http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-possessive-apostrophe/)" I was left with a question.


Add apostrophe s to the end of a singular noun, even if it ends in s (this practice may vary in some places):

I've read the apostrophe after nouns ending in s is more of a style issue and either way is correct.

Jesus' sandals
Jesus's sandals

If there is only one correct way, where exactly would this practice vary?

[Maeve]

After reading your piece "The Possessive Apostrophe (http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-possessive-apostrophe/)" I was left with a question.



I've read the apostrophe after nouns ending in s is more of a style issue and either way is correct.

Jesus' sandals
Jesus's sandals

If there is only one correct way, where exactly would this practice vary?

Writers of my generation (and the British) tend to use the apostrophe only with ancient names:

Jesus' name
Achilles' sandals

and 's with modern names:

St. James's Park
Charles's coffee cup.

Not too long ago someone in the Arkansas state legislature, apparently annoyed at seeing inconsistencies in the way the possessive of Arkansas is written, introduced a bill on the issue. It passed so now one is required by law to write:

Arkansas's playgrounds

When it comes to placing the possessive apostrophe on singular nouns ending in s, you will not not find total agreement among copy editors.

My opinion is that if one feels strongly about the "correct" way to do it, one should go with it and be consistent.

My preference is for Jesus' name AND Arkansas' playgrounds because I think to add the s to either word is to invite a faintly ridiculous pronunciation.

[Tyree]

That makes perfect sense to me, Maeve. I was always under the impression that either way is legal. The important thing is to be consistent. Thank you for the clarification!