Question for the grammar Nazis

Kevy Baby · 04-13-2007, 01:02 PM

Question:

If a company name (or any other proper name) ends in an "s" and you are speaking of something that belongs to that company, what is the proper way to say it?

If you were talking (well, writing) about the web site that belonged to XYZ Productions, would it be

XYZ Productions' web site or
XYZ Productions's web site

I know it would not be XYZ Production's, but I am having a discussion about which is proper. Any thoughts?

Bornieo: Fully Loaded · 04-13-2007, 01:05 PM

I think the use of 's is possesive. Like Mark's stuff. Production can't really be possesive but can be "mulitiple" as in more than one production, thus would be Productions. I believe it would be Productions'.

IMHO

JWBear · 04-13-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bornieo: Fully Loaded

I think the use of 's is possesive. Like Mark's stuff. Production can't really be possesive but can be "mulitiple" as in more than one production, thus would be Productions. I believe it would be Productions'.

IMHO

You are correct. It would be Productions'.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded · 04-13-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWBear

You are correct. It would be Productions'.

I knew my years as an editor would eventually pay off...

Ghoulish Delight · 04-13-2007, 01:11 PM

There's no "right" answer in this case. You can't really go on the plural thing because, while the word "Productions" is plural, the entity as a whole (which is the possessive subject) is a single company. So it's one of the few instances where "Whatever sounds better" wins. Since "Productions's" would be pretty awkward to pronounce, "Productions'" is probably the better choice.

Kevy Baby · 04-13-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bornieo: Fully Loaded

I think the use of 's is possesive. Like Mark's stuff. Production can't really be possesive but can be "mulitiple" as in more than one production, thus would be Productions. I believe it would be Productions'.

IMHO

But the difference that I was asking about was when the proper name ends in "s". Note that the name of the example company I gave include an "s" at the end of the name.

Any proper name can be possessive - something can belong to it.

Kevy Baby · 04-13-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

There's no "right" answer in this case. You can't really go on the plural thing because, while the word "Productions" is plural, the entity as a whole (which is the possessive subject) is a single company. So it's one of the few instances where "Whatever sounds better" wins. Since "Productions's" would be pretty awkward to pronounce, "Productions'" is probably the better choice.

Yeah, the pronunciation thing is what throws me - is that a rule?

I have this recollection that the proper way to write it was Productions's, but that was many years ago.

Ghoulish Delight · 04-13-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Yeah, the pronunciation thing is what throws me - is that a rule?

I have this recollection that the proper way to write it was Productions's, but that was many years ago.

It's accepted practice to fall back on pronunciation and supported by several prominent style guides.

Gn2Dlnd · 04-13-2007, 01:20 PM

Productions'.

That said, how about, "Lightyear's above the rest."

Used to drive me crazy.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded · 04-13-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

But the difference that I was asking about was when the proper name ends in "s". Note that the name of the example company I gave include an "s" at the end of the name.

Any proper name can be possessive - something can belong to it.

Yeah, anything that ends with a proper "s" would be s' . Like "Warner Brothers". Exp: Warner Brothers' record label.

04-13-2007, 01:02 PM	#1
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Question for the grammar Nazis Question: If a company name (or any other proper name) ends in an "s" and you are speaking of something that belongs to that company, what is the proper way to say it? If you were talking (well, writing) about the web site that belonged to XYZ Productions, would it be XYZ Productions' web site or XYZ Productions's web site I know it would not be XYZ Production's, but I am having a discussion about which is proper. Any thoughts? __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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04-13-2007, 01:05 PM	#2
Bornieo: Fully Loaded Lego Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,704	I think the use of 's is possesive. Like Mark's stuff. Production can't really be possesive but can be "mulitiple" as in more than one production, thus would be Productions. I believe it would be Productions'. IMHO
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04-13-2007, 01:11 PM	#5
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	There's no "right" answer in this case. You can't really go on the plural thing because, while the word "Productions" is plural, the entity as a whole (which is the possessive subject) is a single company. So it's one of the few instances where "Whatever sounds better" wins. Since "Productions's" would be pretty awkward to pronounce, "Productions'" is probably the better choice. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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04-13-2007, 01:20 PM	#9
Gn2Dlnd Parmmadore Jim Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Casita del Queso Posts: 3,810	Productions'. That said, how about, "Lightyear's above the rest." Used to drive me crazy. __________________ Does anyone still wear a hat?
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