Over the last month or so, I’ve received a lot of inquiries about the possessive form of certain nouns or names. I thought maybe now would be a good time for a review, since many people are preparing to send out party invitations for Thanksgiving and other holidays.
Today we start with the most basic rule, from the Chicago Manual of Style:
The possessive of most singular nouns is formed by adding an apostrophe and an s. The possessive of plural nouns (except for a few irregular plurals, like children, that do not end in s) is formed by adding an apostrophe only.
· the horse’s mouth
· a bass’s stripes
· puppies’ paws
· children’s literature
· a herd of sheep’s mysterious disappearance
Kara Church
Technical Editor, Advisory
619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773
Symitar Documentation Services
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