Jameses, James’s or James’? Which is Correct?

James Bond graffiti

Jameses, James’s or James’? That’s the eternal question that all Jameses ask themselves right? It’s not easy being a James when it comes to claiming ownership of something! So, which is the correct possessive form of James?

Is it James’s or James’?

Plural nouns are made possessive by adding an apostrophe onto the end of the word. A name of a person is a noun. Therefore, because James ends in S it would be natural to assume that it follows the rules of other plural nouns. For example, James’.

Well, you wouldn’t be wrong to assume this. However, before all you Jameses out there start writing “James’ sandwich” on your work fridge lunchbox, there’s something you need to know!

The way you should write James in the possessive form depends upon the style guide you are using for writing the English language.

If you’re going with The Associated Press Stylebook, James’ is the correct way of writing James in the possessive form. But, for all other style guides, James’s is the way to go.

Let’s take a look at all of these variations to get a better understanding.

James

What a great name, even if I do say so myself!

James is a popular boys name. The name of a person in grammar terms is known as a proper noun.

James’

Under The Associated Press Stylebook any plural noun, including names that end with an S, should be followed with an apostrophe to indicate possession. So, if you’re following the Associated Press style you’d write is as James’.

Examples

That is James’ football.

I want a coat like James’.

We’re going in James’ car.

Have you seen James’ new shoes?

James’s

If you’re writing following other style guides such as The Chicago Manual of Style or The Microsoft Manual of Style, they recommend that you add an apostrophe S to singular nouns to indicate possession. This rule applies even to nouns that end in S. This means that you would write “James’s new shoes”, for example.

Examples

Where is James’s house?

I need to get James’s email address.

I’m on my way to James’s place.

The use of James’s tends to be more common in British English. Although, personally I have always written it as James’.

The use of James’ is more common in American English.

James’s or James’? Which is correct?

Both James’ and James’s are technically correct when talking about something that belongs to James. The one you should use when writing will depend on the style guide you are following. Just make sure you stay consistent and look out for autocorrect!

Also, don’t forget that when talking you should say James’s when referring to something that belongs to James.

Jameses

Jameses

Jameses is the plural form of James. It is used if you are talking about more than one James.

Usually when nouns end in S we add -es to pluralize them.

Examples

We only have four glasses.

Buses always arrive late.

Have you got your contact lenses?

I’ve been to my friend’s place for the last four Christmases.

So, if you know more than one James and you saw them both together at the same time, you’d be in the presence of the Jameses.

For example, I have a friend who’s name is also James. He has a little sister. When she was three years old and saw us both together for the first time, she excitedly exclaimed “two Jameses!”.

Can Jameses be made possessive?

Yes, Jameses can be made possessive.

If there are several Jameses who all jointly own the same thing you might want to make it possessive. For example, if three people named James decide to buy a pub together they could name is “Jameses’ pub”.

This would mean that more than one James owns that pub.

In conclusion: Jameses, James’s or James’?

Jameses, James’s and James’ all have their place in the English language.

If you’re talking about the possessive form of James you should use James’s or James’. The one you use depends upon which style guide you are following.

If you’re talking about James in the plural you should use Jameses. After all, there can never be too many Jameses!

James Prior

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