QA

Question: When To Use Apostrophe In Last Name

When indicating the possessive, if there is more than one owner add an apostrophe to the plural; if there is one owner, add ‘s to the singular (The Smiths’ car vs. Smith’s car). If the possessive involves a last name ending with “s” or “z,” you can add either.

Which is correct the Smiths or the Smith’s?

The plural of Smith is Smiths. NOT Smith’s. And if for some reason the Smiths wanted to use the possessive, they would have to use the plural possessive.

Do you need an apostrophe for last names?

When making your last name plural, you don’t need to add an apostrophe! The apostrophe makes the name possessive. If your name does NOT end in -s, -z, -ch, -sh, or -x, you add -s to make it plural. For example: Merry Christmas from the Smiths!Nov 22, 2019.

Where do you put the apostrophe in a last name?

When it comes to showing possession, to make most surnames possessive, simply add an apostrophe and an “s.” Mr. Smith’s car was repossessed. For showing family possession with surnames that are plural and possessive, make the name plural first by adding an “s” and then add an apostrophe to make them possessive.

How do you write the plural of a family name?

You usually make family names plural by adding an “s” to the end. However, if the name ends in “s,” “x,” “z,” “ch,” or “sh,” you usually add an “es” instead (but there are exceptions). The plural of “mother-in-law” is “mothers-in-law.”Dec 5, 2019.

Do I use an apostrophe for the Smiths?

The Smith’s (with an apostrophe before the s) is the possessive of “Smith” and indicates one person ownership. The Smiths’ (with an apostrophe after the s) is plural possessive and means the possession of more than one “Smith” of something (see Rule 2 below) like “The Smiths’ house is white.”.

Is it Johnsons or Johnson’s?

1 Answer. “The Johnsons” is the correct answer. “The Johnson’s” is a possessive form of the proper noun, as in the Johnson’s house, the Johnson’s blasé attitude towards telemarketers, The Johnson’s willingness to run from danger, etc.

How do you pluralize a last name that ends in i?

Rule: To show plural possession, make the proper noun plural first, then use the apostrophe. Examples: I petted the Murphys’ cat.

Is it Jones or Jones’s?

Jones = Mr. Jones’s. Some people favor adding only an apostrophe to a singular noun ending in s, but if you follow the rule, you can’t be wrong. If a plural noun does not end in an s, you must make it possessive by adding an apostrophe and an s: women’s; children’s.

Do you add an apostrophe s to a last name ending in s?

If a proper name ends with an s, you can add just the apostrophe or an apostrophe and an s. See the examples below for an illustration of this type of possessive noun. You’re sitting in Chris’ chair. You’re sitting in Chris’s chair.

How do you address a family with a last name?

The recipient’s family name and address goes in the center of the envelope. You should always include last names on an envelope address. You do not use an apostrophe with last names in addresses. Add an “s” to the end of last names that don’t end in “s,” and add an “es” to the end of last names that end in “s.”.

What does an apostrophe after a name mean?

1. Use an apostrophe to indicate ownership by a proper noun. An apostrophe with an “s” after a proper noun indicates that the person, place or thing owns whatever noun follows his or her name. For example, “Mary’s lemons.” We know the lemons belong to Mary because of the ‘s.

When addressing a family is there an apostrophe?

Apostrophes are used to show possession. Your family last name on its own is not possessive. You would say We are the Smiths. You would not say We are the Smith’s House.

Does the plural of a family name have an apostrophe?

Don’t use an apostrophe to make your last name plural. Apostrophes can be used to show possession—à la the Smiths’ house or Tim Johnson’s pad— but they don’t indicate there’s more than one person in your family.

Do you capitalize the Jones family?

The Joneses is correct because it indicates more than one member of the family. The Joneses’ indicates possession, as in the Joneses’ home.

Which is correct Smith residence or Smith’s residence?

If you are talking in possessive about one person named Smith, the article the is not necessary and Smith would be followed by apostrophe s. This is Smith’s house. If you are talking in possessive about more than one Smith (family of Smiths), the article the is required and Smiths would be followed by an apostrophe.

Is Williams plural?

First, make the noun Williams into a plural: Williamses.

Does Johnson’s need an apostrophe?

If your last name is Johnson and you want to send a card from your family, simply add an “s”: The Johnsons (“Merry Christmas from the Johnsons!”). Only use an apostrophe when you want to make a name possessive. (“From The Smith’s” is always wrong, but “The party is at the Smiths’ house” is correct.)Dec 5, 2016.

Is it Johnson’s house or Johnsons House?

2 Answers. If the phrase is intended as a signature, then the possessive does not apply; it’s a simple plural – the members of the Johnson family are simply “The Johnsons”. Adjectival: the Johnson house (this would be more common if the house were a local landmark, e.g. “Turn right at the old Johnson house”)Aug 5, 2018.

What is correct James or James’s?

James’ birthday, or James’s. The proper convention is to include the possessive apostrophe even when the word ends in an “s.” So “James’s” is correct. The only exception to that are proper nouns so well established that traditionally they have always been used with just an apostrophe.