Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
Which is correct? (possessive/apostrophe question)
My friend's name is Thomas. Because his name ends with an 'S', I am uncertain how to properly indicate possession (with apostrophe) when writing about his possessions.
Should I write "Thomas's (item)" or "Thomas' (item)" ?
I have a hunch the latter is correct but that notation seems like it would be pronounced "Thomas" instead of "Thomases", like the former would be.
Could both be correct? Thanks in advance.
SH
Should I write "Thomas's (item)" or "Thomas' (item)" ?
I have a hunch the latter is correct but that notation seems like it would be pronounced "Thomas" instead of "Thomases", like the former would be.
Could both be correct? Thanks in advance.
SH
Top answer
[nq:1]My friend's name is Thomas. Because his name ends with an 'S', I am uncertain how to properly indicate possession ... would be pronounced "Thomas" instead of "Thomases", like the former would be.
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[nq:1]My friend's name is Thomas. Because his name ends with an 'S', I am uncertain how to properly indicate possession ... would be pronounced "Thomas" instead of "Thomases", like the former would be. Could both be correct? Thanks in advance.[/nq]
Both are correct. This is a matter of style, Choose one and stick with it. (I prefer the 's version but, to repeat, this is a matter of style.)
Both are correct. This is a matter of style, Choose one and stick with it. (I prefer the 's version but, to repeat, this is a matter of style.)
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[nq:2]My friend's name is Thomas. Because his name ends with ... former would be. Could both be correct? Thanks in advance.[/nq]
[nq:1]Both are correct. This is a matter of style, Choose one and stick with it. (I prefer the 's version ... Google Groups and search this group for "apostrophe s possessive". Bob Lieblich Who spells it as he says it[/nq]
As do I. It should be pointed out, howev
[nq:1]Both are correct. This is a matter of style, Choose one and stick with it. (I prefer the 's version ... Google Groups and search this group for "apostrophe s possessive". Bob Lieblich Who spells it as he says it[/nq]
As do I. It should be pointed out, howev
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[nq:2]Both are correct. This is a matter of style, Choose ... Google Groups and search this group for "apostrophe s possessive".[/nq]
[nq:1]As do I. It should be pointed out, however, that while can be pronounced only /'tAm@s@s/, that is, "TOM-usuz," you will find the form pronounced both /'tAm@s@s/, that is, "TOM-usuz," and /'tAm@s/, that is "TOM-us" (just like ).[/nq]
Yes, but t
[nq:1]As do I. It should be pointed out, however, that while can be pronounced only /'tAm@s@s/, that is, "TOM-usuz," you will find the form pronounced both /'tAm@s@s/, that is, "TOM-usuz," and /'tAm@s/, that is "TOM-us" (just like ).[/nq]
Yes, but t
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[nq:1]it[/nq]
[nq:2]As do I. It should be pointed out, however, that ... is, "TOM-usuz," and /'tAm@s/, that is "TOM-us" (just like ).[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, but that's just daft. I'm all for common sense in language; if yousay /tomusiz/, write "Thomas's", and if you say /tomus/, write "Thomas'".[/nq]
I write it "Thomas'" and pronounce it with an extended, snakelike hiss (no schwa, no vowel, n
[nq:2]As do I. It should be pointed out, however, that ... is, "TOM-usuz," and /'tAm@s/, that is "TOM-us" (just like ).[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, but that's just daft. I'm all for common sense in language; if yousay /tomusiz/, write "Thomas's", and if you say /tomus/, write "Thomas'".[/nq]
I write it "Thomas'" and pronounce it with an extended, snakelike hiss (no schwa, no vowel, n
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[nq:2]it[/nq]
[nq:1]former form[/nq]
It's always interested me that the Jeopardy clue writers use the Thomas' version and Alex Trebek always pronounces it Thomas's. I write those sorts of possessives it that way (s's), too: Why confuse the reader?
Cheers, Sage
[nq:1]former form[/nq]
It's always interested me that the Jeopardy clue writers use the Thomas' version and Alex Trebek always pronounces it Thomas's. I write those sorts of possessives it that way (s's), too: Why confuse the reader?
Cheers, Sage
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[nq:1]My friend's name is Thomas. Because his name ends with an 'S', I am uncertain how to properly indicate possession (with apostrophe) when writing about his possessions. Should I write "Thomas's (item)" or "Thomas' (item)"?[/nq]
Do it the way that matches what you say. If you add an /-ez/ syllable to the name, add apostrophe-S; if you pronounce the possessive the same as the simple name, a
Do it the way that matches what you say. If you add an /-ez/ syllable to the name, add apostrophe-S; if you pronounce the possessive the same as the simple name, a
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[nq:1]Note that the possessive of "Charles" has a pondian difference. Rightpondians often pronounce the name with a Z sound at ... usually pronounce the name with an S sound at the end, which does not sound possessive, so add the syllable.[/nq]
Usually? Maybe in peculiar dialects like that of Chicago, which do not distinguish between /s/ and /z/ (ErkE excepted), but IME most Americans pronounc
Usually? Maybe in peculiar dialects like that of Chicago, which do not distinguish between /s/ and /z/ (ErkE excepted), but IME most Americans pronounc
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[nq:1]Note that the possessive of "Charles" has a pondian difference. Rightpondians often pronounce the name with a Z sound at ... usually pronounce the name with an S sound at the end, which does not sound possessive, so add the syllable.[/nq]
I've never been anywhere English is spoken outside of Leftpondia, and I've always heard "Charles" pronounced with a /z/ sound at the end.
-Aar
I've never been anywhere English is spoken outside of Leftpondia, and I've always heard "Charles" pronounced with a /z/ sound at the end.
-Aar
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[nq:1]I've never been anywhere English is spoken outside of Leftpondia, and I've always heard "Charles" pronounced with a /z/ sound at the end.[/nq]
I recall seeing a TV show (name and other details long since forgot) in which a robot addressed one of the characters as "char-less" (equal emphasis on both syllables).
And then there's Ms. Theron, but that's another story.
Bob Liebli
I recall seeing a TV show (name and other details long since forgot) in which a robot addressed one of the characters as "char-less" (equal emphasis on both syllables).
And then there's Ms. Theron, but that's another story.
Bob Liebli
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