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Is it James' or James's? What's the difference between these two word forms? Which is grammatically correct to use? Learn in this short guide (with examples).
Choose between James’ or James’s when you’re writing in Chicago style. According to Chicago style’s official website, the organization accepts both s’ and ’s with s-ending words or names like “James.” However, the organization does state that it prefers ’s over s’.
When you follow the rules of The Associated Press Stylebook, James’ is proper. With all other style guides, James’s is correct. James’ The Associated Press Stylebook has rules that state any plural noun, including names that end with an S, only get an apostrophe to symbolize possession.
“James” is the possessive form, and “father” is the owned noun in both examples. James’s “James’s” is the most common possessive form because it applies to most stylebooks. You should use “James’s” when following The Chicago Manual of Style, APA Style, and The Microsoft Manual of Style.
If you prefer modern grammar rules, use James’s. If you lean towards traditional grammar or if it sounds better in the sentence, use James’. Remember, both forms are correct; it often comes down to personal or institutional style preference.
If you’re going with The Associated Press Stylebook, James’ is the correct way of writing James in the possessive form. But, for all other style guides, James’s is the way to go. Let’s take a look at all of these variations to get a better understanding.
The name James may confuse those who aren’t sure if James’s or James’ is correct; the answer is that they are technically both grammatically correct. That being said, both forms aren’t necessarily always accepted as grammatically correct by everyone.
James’s is a singular possessive form of the name James. In modern English, the tendency is to use an “s” after the apostrophe when forming possessives. Therefore, it is no surprise that James’s is the more common of the two singular possessive forms in American and British English.
James’s is one (and preferred in my opinion) way to spell the possessive form of James. It is the preferred way to write it according to most authorities or style guides. For example, the The Chicago Manual of Style from the USA.
Both are acceptable depending on what style guide you follow. “James’s house” is correct if you are following the Chicago Manuel of Style and “James’ house” is correct if you are following the Associated Press Stylebook. James’s/James’ House Examples. I went over to James’s house last night. James’s house is over there.