Apostrophes for names ending in S

Antique_Guitars

It seems my lecturer and I have a slight disagreement with the correct use of the Apostrophe for names ending in S.

Name of person: Praetorius


Lecturer: Praetorius's Theatrum Instrumentorum

Me: Praetorius' Theatrum Instrumentorum

Having a double S just seems very untidy to me.

What do you peeps think?

I am likely to just go with his way as he is marking it but the whole thing confuses me greatly!

Bucket

I tend to go for the double S actually, just makes more sense to me.

randomhandclaps

If I recall it is a "s's".  The apostrophe replaces an 'e' in the possessive form, so the apostrophe with no 's' is right for names ending with 'es' - like James'.  Otherwise James' would effectively read "Jameses".

Paul_C

http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe

Fretwired

Your lecturer is correct. I recommend the Guardian style guide - scroll down to apostrophes.

http://www.theguardian.com/styleguide/a

steamabacus

The crux of the biscuit....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXP_pr7np-o

DiscoStu

Agree with the others.

s's refers to a possession or action belonging to a single person/item.

In this case: Praetorius's

s' refers to those of a more than one person/item.

In this case: the sisters' identical haircut

Antique_Guitars

Makes sense now

maltingsaudio

Praetoriarum surely?

Clarky

do like they do in the US and just make it up as you going along..

[Deleted User]

My son is called James. 'James's' is definitely correct....

chillidoggy

I tend to use your method when faced with such issues, rather than that of your lecturer. I believe both to be correct, however the dropping of the S just looks neater and simpler to me.

randomhandclaps

It's obvious a real grey area of language as BBC's World Service guide to learning English Grammar suggests that both are acceptable for names ending in 'S'. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv57.shtml

ddlooping

I use the apostrophe on its own too, it looks neater.
I'm allowed though, 'cause English is my second language.

How about the use of "apostrophe + s" for objects?
i.e, "The discussion's title", "The cupboard's handle"...

randomhandclaps

It's the same whether it's a person's name or an object as it is still acting as a noun.

IanSavage

http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/apostrophe/6.png

Roaster

Here you go http://www.apostrophe.org.uk/

PolarityMan

If in doubt use just use 2 apostrophes.

And since I'm not entirely sure... 

''

WezV

I had a mug brought for me by some students.  It says "Mr Venables's Mug".    Whilst I don't want to sound ungrateful I always thought it looked really odd and I can't help reading it in a Gollum accent - "Venableses".   

"Mr Venables' Mug" would make much more sense to me. 

viz

ok what about when you say "the Kennedys' cats"?

DiscoStu

viz said:

ok what about when you say "the Kennedys' cats"?

exactly that.