apostrophe - James' or James's ?

[BetsyBoop]

I know there are varying opinions on which is correct, James' or James's.

Which one would you use & why?

I was taught that the s' was only used if the noun was plural and ending in s and 's was used for the singular so I would go for James's even though it looks a bit clumsy.:)

Either is fine.

I'd use James'.

We use James' here.

I would use James' if the thing belonged to the James family or if it belonged to several boys called James.

I wod use James's if the thing belonged to a single boy called James.

I would use James's, as James is a name, just like Jack. Just because it ends in an 's', doesn't mean it should be treated like a plural, imo.

So, just as I would describe something belonging to Jack as Jack's, I would describe something belonging to James as James's.

James's is correct...

I think.

I have a James and have always used James'.

Now you have me all confused.

I'm sure Ive seen it both ways in books, for things belonging to James (singular) I'd use James's though

or just say 'it's his!'

Personally I loathe James'. It just doesn't make any logical sense not to put an 's IMO and it sounds odd and clunky when spoken.

James'

Great, even the pedants can't agree on this one, that makes me feel a bit better.

I was taught (by pedant English teacher) that James' is the "more correct" version, but prefer James's myself... :)

I think I'll just stick with whipme's suggestion

should be James's - always (unless you're talking specific placenames that have been mucked about ith.. )

the oly time it's s' in a name ending in S is for Jesus' and Moses' (ie where there is an S in the middle)

Pedant English teacher is wrong.

I'd listen out for "myself" where it should be me.....

I thought that if the word was an archaic name which made the 'z' sound (such as Jesus/Moses) then you didn't add the 's, but if it was a modern name, you did!

Jesus' disciples were nice.
James's socks were stinky...

Um,
Jesus's' ' ' ' ' brother was called James

I use James's

James's. Why wouldn't it be?

In Nottingham there is a St James's Street. An old sign (correctly) says James's, a newer one says James'

James's.

www.informatics.sussex.ac.uk/department/docs/punctuation/node22.html