another grammar question: "Chris's Forecast" or "Chris' Forecast"

[space-time]

So which one is correct, Chris's Forecast or Chris' Forecast? I remember from when I learned English as a second language many years ago that "Chris's Forecast" is not correct, there is no need to repeat the S after the apostrophes. Or I don't remember this rule right? Thanks

[Mr Downtown]

The general rule expressed in A Manual of Style is "form the possessive by adding apostrophe s." Exceptions are few, and guided by tradition or euphony, such as Jesus' or Moses'.

So write Chris's Forecast.

[ztirffritz]

I learned in school that "Chris'" and "Chris's" were both acceptable, but in most cases, 's is the correct pattern.

[elmo3]

Think about it: the *reason* for "Jesus' boots" (for example) is to avoid the awkward sounding double-Z. "Jesus's" is double Z.

However, technically, "Jesus's boots" is correct.

Now, in the case of Chris, there is no double-Z and no awkward sound and hence nothing to accommodate--so you do it the right way without question. Sound it out: "Chris's boots". Now think about it: "Chris' boots"??? Man, if THAT doesn't sound completely wrong.

Generally, always append the apostrophe S to denote the possessive. And think about why some usage came about before blindly applying it everywhere.

And think about it some more: avoid the awkwardness altogether simply by rephrasing.

[tuqqer]

It's Chris's forecast. But I'll be danged if I can explain the rule that justifies it.

The dangling apostrophe works for plurals: The Scotts' problems were that they were all insecure.

I get cross-eyed with understanding "possessive apostrophe", etc. but here's a great page for learnin':
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostrophe#...nding_in_s

Do note the "Apostrophe Protection Society" link near the bottom. It'll make you appreciate the confusion around those little guys.

[Buzz]

OK, so what happens when Harvey Moss wants to possess something? is it Mr. Moss' potato chips, or Mr. Moss's french fries?

[elmo3]

Mr. Moss's things.

It's quite simple. Always use apostrophe-S.

[Buzz]

[quote elmo3]Mr. Moss's things.

It's quite simple. Always use apostrophe-S.
what if it's Harvey, Hillary and little Harry's things...? is it Mosss' or Mosses' or Moss'es or stil Moss's, and if it's not their stuff, and it's just them, are they the Mosss, Mosses, or Moss's [again] or some other variant?

[tuqqer]

Buzz, check out that section on the Wiki page called Basic principles: possessive apostrophe

In the cases you mention:

what if it's Harvey, Hillary and little Harry's things...?
Correct.

is it Mosss' or Mosses' or Moss'es or stil Moss
It's the Mosses' stuff.

They are the Moss family, or The Mosses.

[wurm]

You say it as "Chris's boots", but you write it as Chris' boots. Just as I would say Jesus's sandals, but write Jesus' sandals.

Follow-up:

The most common way to form a possessive in English is with apostrophe and s: "a hard day's night." After a plural noun ending in s, put just an apostrophe: "two hours' work" (i.e., "the work of two hours"). If a plural doesn't end in s — children, men, people — plain old apostrophe-s: "children's," "men's," "people's." It's never "mens'" or "childrens'."

There's also the opposite case: when a singular noun ends in s. That's a little trickier. Most style guides prefer s's: James's house. Plain old s-apostrophe (as in James' house) is common in journalism, but most other publishers prefer James's. It's a matter of house style.