How do YOU use the ‘?
I have a friend named James, I’d like to know how to spell James’s name. My friends and I hang out at our friend James’s house a lot, funny thing is that about half of us say James’s house (and pronounce it “Jame-ses house”) and about half of us say James’ house (and pronounce it “James house”).
Several sources say either is acceptable, I find this surprising as the same sources also say that “James’ house” would indicate the house where more than one James live. To me this indicates that ‘James’s house’ should be the ONLY acceptable form.
Can all you Metas tell me how you would spell/pronounce it.
Here is some additional info:
- For singular names ending in “s,” the Chicago Manual of Style adds an “s” after the apostrophe, as in “Charles’s bike.”
- (from Write101) Some words sound awkward when an apostrophe ‘s’ is added: Jesus’s disciples. The accepted form here is to just use the ‘s’ apostrophe: Jesus’ disciples. This only applies to names of Biblical or historical significance e.g. Jesus, Moses, Zeus, Demosthenes, Ramses … the rest of us whack in the apostrophe and add an ‘s.’ (via jobby’s shared items in Google Reader)
