Really dumbass grammar question

[messykitchen]

So my sons name is James. For 14 years the s has perplexed me. 

Would I say James's room?

James' room?

James has a room?

Screw it all and make James sleep in the shed?

Nothing looks right. I don't know how it's supposed to be. After this long, I want to know. I hope my examples make sense. 

I dropped out of high school ok? Don't judge me!

[Deleted]

Either James's or James' is the correct possessive form.

[shostakovich]

Technically, both James's room and James' room is acceptable.

[messykitchen]

Yay! Thank you ladies SO MUCH. You have no idea how much not knowing I was right bothered me LOL.

[Deleted]

Oct 25, 2013 16:57:01 GMT -5 toledo said:

I'm looking askance at both of you. ^^^^

I'm sorry that our being correct causes you to look askance.

[messykitchen]

Oct 25, 2013 16:59:00 GMT -5 toledo said:

Oct 25, 2013 16:57:33 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

I'm sorry that our being correct causes you to look askance.

This is one of those "increasingly common usage doesn't change what's RIGHT" situations.  ASKANCE.

Darn it. The correct answer is making him sleep in the shed isn't it?

[Deleted]

Oct 25, 2013 16:59:00 GMT -5 toledo said:

Oct 25, 2013 16:57:33 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

I'm sorry that our being correct causes you to look askance.

This is one of those "increasingly common usage doesn't change what's RIGHT" situations.  ASKANCE.

AP Stylebook re singular proper names ending in "s":  Use only an apostrophe: Achilles' heel, Agnes' book, Ceres' rites.  See Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Guide).

The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage (1999): Almost all singular words ending in "s" require a second "s," as well as the apostrophe to form the possessive: James's; Chris's; The Times's.

The Chicago Manual of Style: With singular words and names that end in "s," use the normal possessive ending "'s": boss's, St. James's, caucus's, Jones's, Delors's, Shanks's.

The Blair Handbook (2003): For singular nouns ending in "s," it is always correct to form the possessive by adding both an apostrophe and -s. However, if pronouncing the additional syllable is awkward--as with last names that sound like plurals--some writers add only an apostrophe.

[youbetcha]

Oct 25, 2013 16:59:00 GMT -5 toledo said:

Oct 25, 2013 16:57:33 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

I'm sorry that our being correct causes you to look askance.

This is one of those "increasingly common usage doesn't change what's RIGHT" situations.  ASKANCE.

It totally depends on what style you are using. I am trained in AP style and go with James'.

[MWOS]

Can you change his name to Jame? There's only one of him so just use the singular

[messykitchen]

Oct 25, 2013 17:02:41 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Oct 25, 2013 16:59:00 GMT -5 toledo said:

This is one of those "increasingly common usage doesn't change what's RIGHT" situations.  ASKANCE.

AP Stylebook re singular proper names ending in "s":  Use only an apostrophe: Achilles' heel, Agnes' book, Ceres' rites.  See Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Guide).

The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage (1999): Almost all singular words ending in "s" require a second "s," as well as the apostrophe to form the possessive: James's; Chris's; The Times's.

The Chicago Manual of Style: With singular words and names that end in "s," use the normal possessive ending "'s": boss's, St. James's, caucus's, Jones's, Delors's, Shanks's.

The Blair Handbook (2003): For singular nouns ending in "s," it is always correct to form the possessive by adding both an apostrophe and -s. However, if pronouncing the additional syllable is awkward--as with last names that sound like plurals--some writers add only an apostrophe.

I am never going to get this wrong again!

Also, you rock. 

[messykitchen]

OMG I love this board so much.

[Deleted]

I love how angry you are about this, toledo.

[macmars45]

So my married last name ends in an 's'. I write Jones'. (Jones isn't my last name, of course.)

[Deleted]

Oct 25, 2013 17:08:01 GMT -5 toledo said:

I'm not angry; I'm in despair.

Sorry you are in despair.

I like the s-less apostrophe.

Less is more!  Muahahahahahaha.

[noodleskooze]

Oct 25, 2013 17:08:01 GMT -5 toledo said:

I'm not angry; I'm in despair.

I'm down in the depths of despair with you.

[shostakovich]

Generally, I am team Strunk and White.

However, my last name ends in an S, and I dislike adding the 's enough that I am happy to jump the AP Style train for just this rule.

Plus, aesthetically, it just displeases me.

[Deleted]

Oct 25, 2013 17:10:41 GMT -5 shostakovich said:

Generally, I am team Strunk and White.

However, my last name ends in an S, and I dislike adding the 's enough that I am happy to jump the AP Style train for just this rule.

Plus, aesthetically, it just displeases me.

Agree.

[messykitchen]

Oct 25, 2013 17:08:33 GMT -5 mofongo said:

I'm calling this an 'OH SNAP OFF'.

I have wanted to use this FOREVER.

This whole thread has filled me with joy. 

[sonrisa]

Oct 25, 2013 17:10:41 GMT -5 shostakovich said:

Generally, I am team Strunk and White.

However, my last name ends in an S, and I dislike adding the 's enough that I am happy to jump the AP Style train for just this rule.

Plus, aesthetically, it just displeases me.

Aesthetically, it is nails on the chalk board for me without the s. I'm glad toledo got here first so I don't have to despair alone.  

[messykitchen]

Oct 25, 2013 17:14:53 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Oct 25, 2013 17:13:06 GMT -5 messykitchen said:

I have wanted to use this FOREVER.

This whole thread has filled me with joy. 

Lol, there is nothing more exciting than a Strunk and White vs AP debate. WE COULD GO FOR DAYS!

Bring it! I have the gifs! LOL. And I post so rarely, that I have been saving up. 

Most would be totally irrelevant to the subject however. 

[messykitchen]

Oct 25, 2013 17:23:23 GMT -5 intentionalsnarkshark said:

Oct 25, 2013 17:21:21 GMT -5 toledo said:

Did you just google "old lady fun"?  I AM OFFENDED.

Lady, you can't handle the search results of googling "old lady fun" so do.not.even. with me.

I couldn't help it. I had to google old lady fun. I want to be this old lady. 

[berbles]

I'm dying. My mom and I had this same argument a while back. Her husband's first AND last names have this conundrum. First name ends in S, last name ends in X.

[Deleted]

My new last name ends in a 'z' and I am have same issue. Despite what is correct, it looks so damn weird.

[noodleskooze]

Oct 25, 2013 17:47:52 GMT -5 @amoosed said:

My new last name ends in a 'z' and I am have same issue. Despite what is correct, it looks so damn weird.

So does mine. I just say "The z Family" to avoid the problem.

[hilwithonelary]

I had a friend in middle school named Peaches. We argued on several occasions how to make her name possessive. That's all I have to add to this conversation.

[thedutchgirl]

Strunk and White 4 Eva!

I have friends who insist on spelling the possessive plural of their name like this: The Smith's House. I die a little inside every time.

[noodleskooze]

Oct 25, 2013 19:00:39 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

Strunk and White 4 Eva!

I have friends who insist on spelling the possessive plural of their name like this: The Smith's House. I die a little inside every time.

My dad's new wife had a personalized address stamp made with that exact error on it. They were going to use it for thank you notes after the wedding. I made them order a new one.

[Deleted]

Oct 25, 2013 17:05:11 GMT -5 MWOS said:

Can you change his name to Jame? There's only one of him so just use the singular

You stole my suggestion! Let's get married.

[messykitchen]

Oct 25, 2013 19:18:41 GMT -5 05heel said:

Oct 25, 2013 17:05:11 GMT -5 MWOS said:

Can you change his name to Jame? There's only one of him so just use the singular

You stole my suggestion! Let's get married.

Jame is the killer from Silence of the Lambs!

My son would never wear a skinsuit. 

[blueshirt2003]

My son is also a James.
I do this:

James'