Question for the grammar Nazis

Ghoulish Delight · 04-13-2007, 09:33 PM

See, that's a case where I'd definitely use Chris's. "Chrises" sounds just fine to me, so I use it.

Unless you're saying you say "Chrises" but write Chris'? That's just weird.

LSPoorEeyorick · 04-14-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Unless you're saying you say "Chrises" but write Chris'? That's just weird.

It's pretty standard grammatical practice. Chris' is pronounced "chrises." Powers' is pronounced "powerses." I can't find a single reliable grammar reference source online that promotes use of s's because of pronunciation.

Ghoulish Delight · 04-15-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

It's pretty standard grammatical practice. Chris' is pronounced "chrises." Powers' is pronounced "powerses." I can't find a single reliable grammar reference source online that promotes use of s's because of pronunciation.

As MBC pointed out, Stunk & White (as well as Modern Language Association, Economist, Purdue's Online Writing Lab) indicate that if the "es" is pronounced, it should be written 's. As for supporting sources, since most major sources actually support using 's as the standard case and using s' as the exception based on pronunciation, I'll site some that support said exception: The Guardian (admittedly a UK source), Emory, American Heritage/Bartlby.

Alex · 04-15-2007, 11:41 AM

Strunk & White is full of all sorts of crap so I've mostly stopped viewing them as a decent source, but like was said way up above, no matter what position you take on the rules of s-ending possessive nouns you'll probably be able to find some source that agrees with you.

So again, no matter how it is done someone important will think you're doing it wrong. So just pick a method that you're comfortable with and be consistent.

Personally I think the the possessive apostrophe is (and the contraction apostrophe) are unnecessary grammatically so let me be the first to advocate that you make a bold linguo-political statement and just not use them at all.

04-13-2007, 09:33 PM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	See, that's a case where I'd definitely use Chris's. "Chrises" sounds just fine to me, so I use it. Unless you're saying you say "Chrises" but write Chris'? That's just weird. __________________ '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
	Submit to Quotes

04-15-2007, 11:41 AM	#4
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Strunk & White is full of all sorts of crap so I've mostly stopped viewing them as a decent source, but like was said way up above, no matter what position you take on the rules of s-ending possessive nouns you'll probably be able to find some source that agrees with you. So again, no matter how it is done someone important will think you're doing it wrong. So just pick a method that you're comfortable with and be consistent. Personally I think the the possessive apostrophe is (and the contraction apostrophe) are unnecessary grammatically so let me be the first to advocate that you make a bold linguo-political statement and just not use them at all.
	Submit to Quotes