A possessive question

[Vertigo]

Just a quick question this which should have an equally quick answer on the correct punctuation.

Given:

I like Mr Asher. I like Mr Asher's books.

Which is correct for these:

I like Mr Banks. I like Mr Banks' books.

or

I like Mr Banks. I like Mr Banks's books.

I am sure have seen both forms in books. I have certainly seen the second form, which is what made me ask the question.

[Precise Calibre]

Banks's as far as I know, since putting the apostrophe after the first "s" with nothing else would denote plural Banks owning something, despite the fact that we know it's only one mister Banks. Aside from that, I believe it would still be prounounced the same as "Banks" even with two "s" which makes us think of saying "Bankses".

[The Judge]

Ah-ha. We have dealt with this very question in The Toolbox, though I'm too lazy to find exactly where.

There is no definitive answer. My trusty dictionary says that either is possible, but that as a rough rule of thumb put the final "s" if it is pronounced and not if not. So:

St James's Palace -- because one says Jameses

Mrs Bridges' kitchen -- because one does not say Mrs Bridgeses, but simply Mrs Bridges

But whether an editor would be happy with a mix and match appraoch (ie "Mrs Bridges' cooking was the only reason to frequent St James's Palace") is another question.

[Vertigo]

Ah that's really interesting, thank you, I guess it's no surprise I was a little confused

And, Your Honour, I thought it probably would have been addressed before elsewhere but, for the life of me, I couldn't think what to search on!

[Teresa Edgerton]

Both are correct, but modern editors and publications generally prefer to go without the final "s." Either way, they will want you to be consistent.

I always use the final "s" because ... because I always have* and I am set in my ways.


*Well, ever since I read that was the correct way in Strunk and White, 20+ years ago.

[The Ace]

I've always thought it should be, 'Bridget Jones' Diary,' but, then, again, I'm all for the impalement of those who say, 'Pacific,' for, 'Specific,' and write, 'Should of,' for, 'Should've.'

[Ursa major]

Personally, TJ, I'd still want to put the 's on Bridges.

One is allowed to pronounce Bridges's the same as Bridges'. (Featherstonehaugh, Fotheringay or Cholmondeley, anyone?) Why can't we let the reader know what we mean when we are allowed - if only just - to sprinkle our barely-pronouncable alien names with apostrophes and the like? (And is someone really going to go through all the ASoIaF books and change each and every Ser to Sir?)

Allowing the impostition of the limitations of one medium on another is not a good idea, even when the "enforcing" medium is that treasure, the audiobook. Most films do not include the thoughts of every POV character. Aren't we positively encouraged to go for a close 1st or 3rd person POV, gradually losing the freedom the film director has when putting their take on a story. (Damn it: in a film, we can see every character's physical appearance if we want, even a vampire's: no need to resort to those clumsy mirror tricks for them.)

[/rant]

[LukeW]

I always write it as "Banks' books'. I'm not fond of putting in the extra 's' although I was told, not too long ago, that adding the extra 's' is becoming the norm.

Writing reports earlier this year, I had something like:

"Jess' handwriting needs improvement."

I think it would look peculiar if I had written "Jess's".

[HareBrain]

Originally Posted by LukeW

I always write it as "Banks' books'. I'm not fond of putting in the extra 's' although I was told, not too long ago, that adding the extra 's' is becoming the norm.

Really? I thought missing the final "s" was becoming more common (boo).

I think it would look peculiar if I had written "Jess's".

For me, the reverse. Even though I know missing the final "s" is technically valid, I still wince a little inside when I see it.