In a previous blog entry I used the possessive form – “Sam Meekings’s book.” I hated the sound of that and could hardly bear to write it. I notice that Matt went for “Sam Meekings’ book” in his comment.
Strunk and White open their book on English style with the injunction:
1. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding ‘s.
Follow this rule whatever the final consonant. Thus write,
Charles’s friend
Burns’s poems
the witch’s malice
Exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names ending in -es and –is, the possessive Jesus’, and such forms as for conscience’ sake…
However, English isn’t a static language. Increasingly, I see people using the apostrophe without an added –s with words which end on the letter –s. Are we leaving the awful sound of Meekings’s behind forever? In many ways, I hope so.
I know some people will throw up their arms and say, “Who cares! Lighten up!” Well, I care…
