Exceptions to the rule of adding an apostrophe s for the possessive form are the possessives of ancient proper names ending in s. Examples: Moses' Law, Jesus' parables, Euripides' tragedies, Xerxes' armies. (The latest CMS now says we add the s after the apostrophe, but many publishers don't observe that rule.)
To avoid an awkward appearance, an apostrophe without an s may also be used for the possessive of singular words and names ending in an unpronounced s.
* Albert Camus' novels, Descartes' three dreams, Vaucouleurs' assistance to Joan of Arc.
Closely linked nouns are considered a single unit in forming the possessive when the entity possessed is the same for both. Only the second element takes the possessive form.
* my aunt and uncle's house.
When the entities are different, both nouns take the possessive form.
* my friends' and neighbors' children.
To avoid an awkward appearance, an apostrophe without an s may also be used for the possessive of singular words and names ending in an unpronounced s.
* Albert Camus' novels, Descartes' three dreams, Vaucouleurs' assistance to Joan of Arc.
Closely linked nouns are considered a single unit in forming the possessive when the entity possessed is the same for both. Only the second element takes the possessive form.
* my aunt and uncle's house.
When the entities are different, both nouns take the possessive form.
* my friends' and neighbors' children.
Susan Titus Osborn is the director of the Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service. She has authored 30 books. You can reach her at susanosb@aol.com, http://www.Christiancommunicator.com/.
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