Mumsnet Talk

Children's reports - James' work or James's work?

I just don't like James's, seems so clumsy, although I have the feeling that it's correct.

Also, something else has stuck in my mind - quote "You wouldn't say Moses's"

Which is why I tend towards James', Chris' etc. However, Moses' is fine, whereas Moses's adds on another syllable, doesn't it? I mean, you say James-es in your head with James' work, no?

Opinions pease!

I know:

St James' Park
St James's House

Both are correct - James' looks neater though

Or just say Jim's work

Both are grammacically correct, although when you say it out loud you would add on the extra syllable. I tend to use James's...

I would use James's.
The ' without an extra s is usually advised for words that have an s in the middle such as Jesus', Moses'

Thanks all.

nickelbabe - good point, hadn't noticed that.

Ilkboo - I agree about James' looking neater. As to 'Jim', this is a sore point! One of the reasons the reports are proofed is that different teachers use different names for the same child. You can't have James, Jamie, Jim, Jimbo and Shorty * in one report, can you? I have a list giving the 'approved' name for each child.

*<<for illustrative purposes only>>

Nickelbabe is wrong, I'm afraid. The 's ending is usually used when you would pronounce it. I would certainly say aloud that Jesus's mother was Mary, and would therefore write it that way.

Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors says 'be guided by ease of pronunciation'. Thus James's, but Bridges' (because that's how you tend to speak).

On the other hand - 'ancient' names don't normally take an additional s. Thus Jesus', Moses', Venus', etc.