Possessive case - special rules

POSSESSIVE CASE

Personal names ending in “s” can make the possessive with an apostrophe without an extra ”s”.

We can say eitherCharles’s wife was at the party with him.(more common)

orCharles’ wife was at the party with him.(less common)

Commonly the possessive is made with apostrophe without an extra “s”.

Socrates’ speechesHercules’ laborsVenus’ beauty

The possessive is formed with ‘s (singular ) or es’ (plural):

The boss’s office is full of work to do.

The bosses’ offices are on the third floor.

When there are more than one possessor that own the same belonging, we add ‘s after the last possessor:

John, Lucas and Carol’s mother is here to talk to you.(The woman has 3 children: John, Lucas and Carol and is their mother.)

If there are more than one possessor, but each one owns a different belonging, we add ‘s after each possessor:

Robert’s and Luca’s cars are parked over there.(Robert has one car and Lucas has another)

Which is more common?

a) Hans’s mother b) Hans’ mother

Which is more common?

a) Hans’s mother

More common with ‘s

Which is more common?

a) Venus’s life b) Venus’ life

Which is more common?

b) Venus’ life

(classical name)

Who do they belong to?Carol and Alice’s brothers are here.

Carol’s and Alice’s brothers are here.

Who do they belong to?

Carol and Alice’s brothers are here.

(They are probably sisters and have 2 or more brothers, who are here.)

Carol’s and Alice’s brothers are here.

(Carol has a brother and Alice has a brother as well. Both of them are here.)