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Which is correct James's or James?

Madison Turner | 2023-06-08 23:04:38 | page views:1676
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Maya Carter

Studied at University of Washington, Lives in Seattle, WA
Hello, I'm an expert in English language and grammar. I'm here to help you with your question about possessive forms in English. When it comes to possessive nouns, English has a couple of rules that can sometimes be confusing.

In English, the possessive case is used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with someone or something. There are two ways to form the possessive case for singular nouns: by adding an apostrophe followed by an "s" ('s), or just an apostrophe (’). The choice between these two can depend on the sound that comes before the possessive marker.

Step 1: English Answer

When we talk about the possessive form of a singular noun that does not end in "s," there is a general rule that we place an apostrophe after the "s." However, there is also a convention that allows for the use of just an apostrophe if the noun ends with an "s" sound but not the letter "s." This is where the confusion often arises with names like "James."

James's is the more formal and traditional way to show possession for a singular noun ending in "s." It is used to indicate that something belongs to James. For example, "James's book" means the book belongs to James.

James', on the other hand, is the less formal and more modern way to show possession. It is often used in casual speech and writing, especially in American English. It is also used when the noun is followed by a gerund (a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun), such as "James' going to the party."

The explanation you provided is partially correct. It states that plural words that do not end in "s" have the apostrophe before the "s" when showing possession, which is true. For example, "children's" and "people's" are correct possessive forms. However, when it comes to singular nouns ending in "s," both James's and James' are grammatically correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts.

The commentary in the explanation is also correct in stating that both forms are grammatically correct. The choice between them can come down to personal preference, regional dialect, or the level of formality desired.

In summary, both James's and James' are acceptable, but James's is more traditional and formal, while James' is more casual and modern. It's important to be consistent in your writing, so if you choose one form, stick with it throughout your text.

Step 2: Divider


2024-05-13 06:46:12

Isabella Gonzales

Studied at the University of Manchester, Lives in Manchester, UK.
Explanation: Plural words which do not end in the letter 's' have the apostrophe before the 's' when showing possession. Example: She is the children's writer; she is the people's princess. Commentary: both James' birthday and James's birthday are grammatically correct.
2023-06-16 23:04:38

Ethan Lee

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Explanation: Plural words which do not end in the letter 's' have the apostrophe before the 's' when showing possession. Example: She is the children's writer; she is the people's princess. Commentary: both James' birthday and James's birthday are grammatically correct.
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