Punctuation matters.
Over the summer holidays I had a robust conversation with my dad about the use of apostrophes. Yes, you read that right.
The particular point of tension was to do with the use of an apostrophe in the case of a possessive if the word requiring the apostrophe ends in the letter ‘s’. Or, in the case of my name, double ‘s’.
This is what I mean:
The book’s page = singular possessive. We are talking about one page of one book.
The books’ pages = plural possessive. We are talking about multiple pages of multiple books.
When it comes to a word like ‘Jess’, which ends in double ‘s’, there’s room for confusion and a stretched rule.
Jess’s book = the book that belongs to Jess.
Jess’ book = the book that belongs to Jess. Still.
Ah hah. A variation. According to the Google search I hastily performed while fanning away the heat of the discussion which most definitely wasn’t an argument… both can be correct. Could’ve used a comma there.
Dad’s view is that the written word should always best resemble the way in which words are spoken. I rather like this definition of sorts, but it doesn’t exactly support my view, which is:
My name ends in double ‘s’ and it’s my name and I shall do what I like with it. Perhaps I feel like using the third ‘s’, perhaps I don’t. Is it a pants day or a skirt day? You know what I’m saying.
Perhaps my rebellious streak likes the fact that I have options when it comes to the correct use of apostrophes. I’m interested to hear people’s thoughts on this, especially from those whose name ends in ‘s’!
The thing which was perfectly clear to us both during the aforementioned heated discussion, is that the apostrophe is most definitely required.
Apostrophes are by my reckoning, the most mis-used piece of grammatical kit in the existence of the written word. It irks me to see those tiny little punctuation marks splattered here, there and everywhere by writers who don’t know how to use them. Much like an over-seasoned piece of steak… don’t do it.
And if you’re still in doubt, get your hands on a copy of Lynne Truss’s Eats, Shoots and Leaves; a book I love dearly - and not just for the handy punctuation repair kit!