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How do you write the possessive form of a name ending in s?

101 replies

MyBabyIsNameless · 09/08/2019 05:12

For example, if Thomas wanted a plaque on his bedroom door to indicate it was his room, would it be Thomas's or Thomas'?

OP posts:
matahairyy · 09/08/2019 05:13

Thomas’

surlycurly · 09/08/2019 05:14

Either is correct. I'd be inclined to drop the second s and just have the apostrophe.

SheScreamsForMe · 09/08/2019 05:14

I think both are right but Thomas' maybe looks nicer

Bluesheep8 · 09/08/2019 05:48

Yep, apostrophe after the s at the end.

YobaOljazUwaque · 09/08/2019 05:50

Either can be correct but I would write Thomas's rather than Thomas'.

LadySpratt · 09/08/2019 06:25

Thomas’s.

Myfoolishboatisleaning · 09/08/2019 06:30

Same as any other name. The apostrophe after the s is incorrect.

usersouthcoast · 09/08/2019 06:31

Thomas'

Worlds0kayestmum · 09/08/2019 06:34

@myfoolishboatisleaning

Why do you say it is incorrect? If it is referring to his room, it is possessive so needs a possessive apostrophe

Op as others have said, you can use either. I personally prefer the look of Thomas', to me it looks tidier and that's how I use it

StitchingMoss · 09/08/2019 06:34

Either is grammatically correct, so it’s personal choice. Personally I prefer Thomas’ but Thomas’s is also fine Smile.

NeverSayFreelance · 09/08/2019 06:36

Thomas'

I know both are technically fine but seeing s's just grinds my gears

LadySpratt · 09/08/2019 06:36

Should have explained why: it’s a singular noun.

DS also has a name that ends with an s, and it drives DH (a little) bonkers when the school reports don’t get it right.

StitchingMoss · 09/08/2019 06:39

@LadySpratt, but both are correct so school aren’t getting it wrong unless they’re not using the apostrophe at all Smile.

BogglesGoggles · 09/08/2019 06:41

I was taught that Thomas’s was incorrect (went to school in Australia though)

StitchingMoss · 09/08/2019 06:43

Boggles, it’s confusing isn’t it? Grin Many people here think it’s incorrect too but it’s not - just looks clunky IMO.

HollysTeflonSeptum · 09/08/2019 06:53

Thomas's - verified by a Catholic London education and pretty much all of the literature we studied.

There was a school of thought that Thomas' was the American version 🤷🏻‍♀️.

KickingAStick · 09/08/2019 06:53

I’d go for Thomas’ personally, I just think it looks neater (although agree nothing technically wrong with Thomas’s).

Gottoloveabagel · 09/08/2019 06:57

@LadySpratt both are correct!

HollysTeflonSeptum · 09/08/2019 07:02

I actually don't think it looks clunky. Reminds me of brilliant writers.

Would be sad to let it die because ... neatness.

StitchingMoss · 09/08/2019 07:03

Hollys, your Catholic education was wrong Smile.

HollysTeflonSeptum · 09/08/2019 07:05

Nooooooooooooo

EleanorReally · 09/08/2019 07:06

i cant believe either are grammatically correct.
i was sure it was Jesus'

EleanorReally · 09/08/2019 07:08

i think i would change the name plate to simply read Thomas rather than having Thomas' room, it looks odd imo

Smidge001 · 09/08/2019 07:12

Agree both are correct but I'd definitely go for Thomas's.

To me, Thomas' looks like a plural form, like it's a family's surname, and you're saying Thomas' to mean it belongs to the Thomas family.

LividLaughLove · 09/08/2019 07:16

I’m an English teacher.

Both are acceptable variants but I despise Thomas’: it looks so incomplete and archaic.

I’m much more a Thomas’s woman.