Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | Possessives for names ending in S Thread poster: Paul Dixon
| Paul Dixon Brazil Local time: 08:25 Portuguese to English + ...
I would like to know if there is a general rule for using apostrophe-S possessives for names ending in S, particularly names of companies: for example, would we say "UPS's services" or "UPS' services"? I know the rule varies with place names, as in St James's Park (also St James' Park) and personal names (Socrates' works, but Jesus's message). Is there a general rule about this? | | | Gerard de Noord France Local time: 12:25 Member (2003) English to Dutch + ... Just to get this thread going | Apr 4, 2009 |
As a Dutch native speaker I can't be of any real help. These are the rules of thumb I found on the Internet years ago. one boy’s hat - two boys’ hats one woman’s hat - two women’s hats one actress’s hat - two actresses’ hats one child’s hat - two children’s hats Ms. Smith’s house - the Smiths’ house No source, sorry. Regards, Gerard | | | Robert Tucker (X) United Kingdom Local time: 11:25 German to English + ... Classical names exception | Apr 4, 2009 |
Paul Dixon wrote: I would like to know if there is a general rule for using apostrophe-S possessives for names ending in S, particularly names of companies: for example, would we say "UPS's services" or "UPS' services"? I think you do need both the apostrophe and the s. Paul Dixon wrote: I know the rule varies with place names, as in St James's Park (also St James' Park) and personal names (Socrates' works, but Jesus's message). Is there a general rule about this? The basic rule is that if the name is considered to be "classical" then you just need the apostrophe, otherwise both the apostrophe and the s. But compare (especially for Jesus): http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/13/messages/1121.html with: http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/apostrophe.htm | | | Paul Dixon Brazil Local time: 08:25 Portuguese to English + ... TOPIC STARTER
Regarding Gerard's reply, I would like to mention that I am not talking about plural possessives (the cat's paws vs. the cats' paws) but about proper names and place names. For example, how would you use possessives for the following: UBS (´/´s) branches are in high streets across the country. Doctors always have to accept Hippocrates ('/'s) oath. I would be prepared to be undecided about the first and use only an apostrophe for the second - but why? | |
|
|
K. Ganly (X) United Kingdom Local time: 11:25 French to English + ...
I think with acronyms ending is 's' it would always be 's (eg UBS's). I'm not sure why, but it seems to be what is generally used. As for other names, not sure what the exact rules are, sorry! | | | Rad Graban (X) United Kingdom Local time: 11:25 English to Slovak + ... In my opinion... | Apr 4, 2009 |
...UPS (United Parcel Service) as a singular form should take an apostrophe and "s", thus "UPS's". Biblical and classical names that end with "s" should only take apostrophe, so I would also go for "Jesus'" rather than "Jesus's". Corporate or similar names formed from a plural word take only apostrophe.
[Edited at 2009-04-04 19:39 GMT]
[Edited at 2009-04-04 19:42 GMT] | | | Renée B. Germany Local time: 12:25 English to German + ...
Here is what I would say: UBS's (or simply UBS, as many people like to leave the apostrophe out altogether) Hippocratic Oath, not Hippocrates' oath, unless you were referring to the man for whatever reason. Hope this helps. | | | Rachel Fell United Kingdom Local time: 11:25 French to English + ... The Hippocratic oath | Apr 4, 2009 |
is how it's usually phrased though - but I'd also put just an apostrophe on his name | |
|
|
Karen Stokes United Kingdom Local time: 11:25 Member (2003) French to English
"An apostrophe and 's' are generally used with personal names ending in an 's', 'z' or 'x' sound: Charles's Dickens's Marx's Bridget Jones's Diary but an apostrophe alone may be used in cases where an additional 's' would cause difficulty in pronunciation, typically after longer names that are not accented on the last or penultimate syllable Nicholas' or Nicolas's [...]" It goes on to say that for classical names you would typ... See more "An apostrophe and 's' are generally used with personal names ending in an 's', 'z' or 'x' sound: Charles's Dickens's Marx's Bridget Jones's Diary but an apostrophe alone may be used in cases where an additional 's' would cause difficulty in pronunciation, typically after longer names that are not accented on the last or penultimate syllable Nicholas' or Nicolas's [...]" It goes on to say that for classical names you would typically use an apostrophe with no 's' (e.g. Euripedes', Herodotus's etc.) BUT if say 'Mars' is used in e.g. a scientific context then it takes an apostrophe + 's': "Mars's gravitational force". Finally, use apostrophe + 's' for French names ending in a silent 's', 'x' or 'z': e.g. Dumas's, Descartes's. Hope this helps! Karen ▲ Collapse | | | Erik Freitag Germany Local time: 12:25 Member (2006) Dutch to German + ... | Nicole Schnell United States Local time: 04:25 English to German + ... In memoriam Leave the company name alone | Apr 5, 2009 |
As an advertising and marketing writer: Do not touch the company's name. Many organizations even have rules and guidelines regarding the way how a company name is supposed to be treated: No hyphens, no apostrophes next to the company name. Usually such rules are stated in their respective Design Manual and / or their Corporate Design Manual. Unfortunately such information is rarely provided to the translators. It is: UPS Services, IBM Services, Mercedes-Benz Services. ... See more As an advertising and marketing writer: Do not touch the company's name. Many organizations even have rules and guidelines regarding the way how a company name is supposed to be treated: No hyphens, no apostrophes next to the company name. Usually such rules are stated in their respective Design Manual and / or their Corporate Design Manual. Unfortunately such information is rarely provided to the translators. It is: UPS Services, IBM Services, Mercedes-Benz Services. Forget about the grammar. Company names are sacred. ▲ Collapse | | | Tim Drayton Cyprus Local time: 13:25 Turkish to English + ... A question I have always wanted to ask | Apr 5, 2009 |
This reminds of a question I have always wanted to ask. What if we want to write "board of directors resolution"? "Board of directors' resolution" seems wrong to me, because although "directors" is plural, we are talking about the "board of directors", which is singular. On the other hand, "board of director's resolution" appears plain daft because we are turning "directors" into a singlar noun, which it patently obviously is not. Any thoughts? | |
|
|
Robert Tucker (X) United Kingdom Local time: 11:25 German to English + ... Company names | Apr 5, 2009 |
I wonder about company names, for example Selfridges, Sainsbury's, Morrisons. I can find examples of Selfridges's, Sainsburys's and Morrisons's on the web. I would have most trouble accepting Sainsburys's as correct. I wonder if my logic is solely connected to the fact that Sainsbury's is the only one to put an apostrophe in its name on its stores. Selfridges was originally (still is?) Selfridge and Co, so should one determine if more than one Selfridge was involved in setting up the company? Mo... See more I wonder about company names, for example Selfridges, Sainsbury's, Morrisons. I can find examples of Selfridges's, Sainsburys's and Morrisons's on the web. I would have most trouble accepting Sainsburys's as correct. I wonder if my logic is solely connected to the fact that Sainsbury's is the only one to put an apostrophe in its name on its stores. Selfridges was originally (still is?) Selfridge and Co, so should one determine if more than one Selfridge was involved in setting up the company? Morrisons is Wm Morrison (Supermarkets) PLC but was founded by Ken Morrison ... ▲ Collapse | | | Tim Drayton Cyprus Local time: 13:25 Turkish to English + ...
Nicole Schnell wrote: As an advertising and marketing writer: Do not touch the company's name. Many organizations even have rules and guidelines regarding the way how a company name is supposed to be treated: No hyphens, no apostrophes next to the company name. Usually such rules are stated in their respective Design Manual and / or their Corporate Design Manual. Unfortunately such information is rarely provided to the translators. It is: UPS Services, IBM Services, Mercedes-Benz Services. Forget about the grammar. Company names are sacred. True ... but with the proviso that this only applies if you are working on that company's own material. Otherwise, if you are translating a text that mentions a company by name but is not published by or on behalf of that company, there is no reason to be bound by that company's style guide. | | | Robert Tucker (X) United Kingdom Local time: 11:25 German to English + ... Group possessive | Apr 5, 2009 |
Tim Drayton wrote: This reminds of a question I have always wanted to ask. What if we want to write "board of directors resolution"? "Board of directors' resolution" seems wrong to me, because although "directors" is plural, we are talking about the "board of directors", which is singular. On the other hand, "board of director's resolution" appears plain daft because we are turning "directors" into a singlar noun, which it patently obviously is not. Any thoughts? You form the possessive for noun phrases by adding an ’s or an apostrophe at the end of the phrase: Jim and Nancy’s house, the Department of Chemistry’s new requirements, a three months’ journey. http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/049.html | | | Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Possessives for names ending in S Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
| Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |