I'm doing a handcarved bar sign for a Christmas gift. Is it:
Ross's Bar Rosses Bar
I'm not sure how to handle the double s.
Suelynn
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
The Ross Bar Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Ross' Bar (I think!) Love....Jill
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
Jill has it right. I've faced this one a couple of times. The last one I had to do was Chris' Auto Body.
Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :
I think Jill is right. There's a rule in the style manuals, but I don't feel like looking it up. So I would do it Jane's way, because there's no dispute.
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
"Ross's Bar" is the correct form. I know cuz I were an A+ grammar student.
Edited to add: A couple replies were added while I was making mine... but I really am quite sure that when the word is singular ending in an 's' you still add the 's to it, unless it makes it sound funny by doing so... actually "Chris's" would be the correct spelling on Mr. Crumley's sign.
Y'all had me worried, so I had to go look it up... it explains it the way I remembered quite well HERE. Hehe... just was reading through that again and notice they use "Chris's" as an example....
[ December 14, 2006, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
I am doing a cabin sign for a family named Fox and they requested "The Foxes" - I don't know if it is grammatically correct, but the customer is always right. Posted by Patrick Whatley (Member # 2008) on :
From punctuation.com:
With singular nouns ending in an s, you can add either 's or an apostrophe alone. the witness's lie or the witness' lie
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Ha ha, isn't the internet fun. No wonder we are confused, or is that confuseded. While you were editing I was typing. You are Canadian Suelynn stick with the Meridith way. Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
...I was an A+ grammar, reading, and spelling student... But I just guessed on that one! (the older I get the less I remember) Love....Jill
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Edited to change- Kelly, it appears it is generally accepted that either way is correct. So until I figure out who the REAL authority is, I'm not going to argue that I'm right.
However, I do know that the sign you are working on is grammatically correct.
The apostrophe is probably the most abused punctuation in the English language, in my opinion.
[ December 14, 2006, 05:51 PM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
If it is a plural possessive, as in the students' projects, or the classes' finals, this is correct.
If it is a singular possessive - his name is Ross - then it would be Ross's Bar
If it is the family name though, then The Rosses' Bar (plural as in the masses of people, or the Joneses)
I may not be right, but I'm never in doubt!
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
For a one syllable singular noun that ends in ss possessive. Example: It is my boss's birthday today.
If a singular noun has more than one syllable and ends in s OR to use only an apostrophe after the s Example: The metropolis's citizens were very friendly during our visit. Acceptable: The metropolis' citizens were very friendly during our visit.
To form the possessive of a singular proper noun ending in ss OR to add only an apostrophe. Example: Mr. Ness's classroom is very inviting. Acceptable: Mr. Ness' classroom is very inviting.
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Hehe... Kelly, the University of Victoria website, which was one of the main ones I looked at, is a Canadian college, I believe.
Anyway, do it however you like Suelynn. To me, even if it's right either way, I prefer "Mr. Ness's" because that's how its pronounced. The later example looks like it would be "Mr. Ness classroom is very inviting"
Even if it's wrong, nobody will ever know. Even us A+ grammar students don't know what we're talking about.... Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
Thanks everyone!
No wonder people say english is the hardest language!!
Suelynn
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Did I mention the nuns used to beat me a lot? (or is that nuns') Love....Jill
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
Jill,
Did it do any good?
J.
Posted by R T Thomas (Member # 355) on :
I don't know much , but I do know one thing. Grammar is spelled this way!! G R A M M A R
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Suelynn..show the customer BOTH spellings and let THEM decide how they want it.
I would spell it "Ross's" but I would have the customer make the final decision and sign off on it.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
"There is more than one Ross. This is their bar."
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Just leave all the "s"s off....not only will you not have to worry about the apostrophe you will have less lettering to do.
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Hey, it'll be Bar Ross! if he steps outta line one more time!!
this is yore Gramma talkin', sonny! Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
The Apostrophe Protection Society?????? Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
What's a noun? Is that the mean lady my friend told me about that rapped his knuckles with a ruler when he misbehaved in class?
Rent the movie - "Apostrophe Now".....it's one of those Vietnam flicks. It's a little violent but very educational.
I agree with Dave....the Ross's are the Bosses....I'd show them what you believe to be the proper spelling, and let them decide.
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
I can tell this job is going to be too much trouble....I'd turn it down
Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
When is the Apostrophe Protection Society's - Societies' - Apostrophe's Pro... Hell... when do they meet?
[ December 15, 2006, 06:28 PM: Message edited by: Gene Golden ]
Posted by Arthur Vanson (Member # 2855) on :
Not often – it atrophied – another victim of a dyslexic secretary.
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
Is the APS disfunctional now also?
Posted by Dana Stanley (Member # 6786) on :
I've been studying a grammar manual for an entrance test for community collage, and it would have you do it the way the client does it. If the client is relying on you then the manual doesn't cover ss although my wife "a recent M.B.A. grad."says Ross'. I tend to agree with Jane, Ross's is best and Ross' is acceptable. Spell check doesn't like Ross's but didn't question Ross',go figure!
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
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Is that the mean lady my friend told me about that rapped his knuckles with a ruler when he misbehaved in class?