I know I bang on about punctuation, but one of the things that annoy me the most is the way people puctuate the possessive of a word or name ending in s. Thus, anything belonging to me becomes Frances' as oposed to Frances's. I am not the plural of France; I just have a name that ends in s. I would love to have been called Catherine (because I like the name, but also, it doesn't end in an s. And anyone with the name of Catherine is unlikely to be called Sir or offered Russian brides, both of which frequently happen to me). Also, I don't much care for my own name, but I'm stuck with it. (I'm often Fran, which doesn't end in an s, and is more friendly.)
So please, if it's mine, it's Frances's. Okay? Thank you.
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Sorry, Frances - I was guilty of this recently. I shall remember in future - Frances's (And I think you have a lovely name) xx
ReplyDeleteTeresa I forgive you! And thank you for liking my name.
DeleteOh I couldn't agree more. My last name is Travis and seldom do I see it written Travis's.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you agree, Jill,
DeleteThanks Fran. I am never sure how I should do this. Just to be on the safe side I shall refer to you as Fran and then I can't make that mistake.
ReplyDeleteMaggie I never had you down as a coward...?
Deletehttps://outofyorkshireblog.wordpress.com This should work as I have copied and pasted it.
ReplyDeleteBut I can't just click on it or your name. I'll copy it out on Google later.
DeleteI think you should have a t shirt made that says "I am NOT the plural of France". That's funny.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea,Kay!
DeleteHuge sympathy, Frances. The person who set up my blog for me put Lynne Hackles' blog. I made her change it. And I love that you're the plural of France too.
ReplyDeleteLynne, the odd thing is that it's a mistake made by lots of writers and journalists, who should really know better.
DeleteI'm an Edwards and I've been fortunate not to be aware of the possessive apostrophe problem. However, whilst Francis and Frances do not confuse me Leslie and Lesley still do sometimes because, although a friend I've known since I was 4 is called Lesley I once also knew a male who was unfortunate enough to have been named Lesley. By the way I like the name Frances. Neither my brother nor I use the names we were called by our parents (we both had a second name we could use but we are also both commonly known by our initials). It's never to late to change.
ReplyDeleteAm awful lot of people can't spell my name. Add to that Garrood, and the problem becomes much worse. By the way, should I now go back to calling you GB? It took ages to get used to Graham!
DeleteFrances I am very comfortable with both or either.
DeleteHow about Barry or Bazza?
DeleteFrances is actually my middle name, and I have grown to like it over the years. It was my mother's middle name, and her father was Harold Francis. Not sure if it went any further back! (I am pleased that you have cleared up that little problem of words ending in S and the apostrophe )
ReplyDeleteFrances, I wonder how many of us do like our names. My second is Mary. Not a name I like much, but at least it's female and doesn't end with s!
DeleteMy name is Christine Margaret. My parents called all three daughters by their second names. This is most confusing when filling in official forms. I have given up telling my surgery that I am called by my second name and have to answer to Christine. And no one calls me Margaret except my sister. I'm Maggie.
ReplyDeleteYou don't look like a Christine, Maggie. I won't tell you what my siblings call me. It's an incredibly twee nickname that has stuck since childhood. Its only merit is that it doesn't end in s!
DeleteThank you for explaining this, Frances. It was not so clear to me; we were probably told about this at school, but I can't remember. No matter whether I am writing something in my own language or not, I always try to get grammar, punctuation and ortography right.
ReplyDeleteAlways happy to be of service, Meike!
DeleteI had a conversation about this with my husband last week. He said you shouldn't add an extra 's' and I mentioned an old post you'd written on the subject.
ReplyDeleteWendy, I can't remember any post I wrote, but I stick to my argument! Thanks for your comment (and please thank your husband for his contribution).
DeleteProbably not a lot of consolation, but I get offered Russian brides too.
ReplyDeleteI feel much better now. Thank you, Patsy.
DeleteI've often puzzled over the correct form of this and I tend to agree that the 's does sound and look better in some ways!
ReplyDeleteI've finally looked this up, and it seems I'm right, although sometimes opinion is divided. This appeared on a grammar website:Some guides still recommend this usage, but CMOS has changed its policy in a spirit of consistency; now it recommends that all proper names ending in -s form their possessive by adding ’s:
DeleteI applaud your stance on the possessive apostrophe and if there is a war over this matter I shall be fighting on your side. What about a church that is dedicated to St Thomas? To me it is St Thomas's but I often see St Thomas' which makes my blood boil!
ReplyDeleteOh YP, I love you! Thank you for your support (I have tried on several occasions to become a follower of your blog, but it hasn't worked...).
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