It is a common knowledge that an apostrophe is used to show possession. While the full stop, among other functions, marks the end of a clause or sentence, the apostrophe indicates ownership. When properly placed, it enhances clarity but makes the expression awkward or ambiguous when carelessly handled. Consider the following:
- Ade sister is there.
- Ade, sister is there.
- Ade’s sister is there.
In the first statement, it is difficult to understand what the speaker or writer means. Even when one does, the expression sounds terribly poor. In the second, it is understood that someone is talking to Ade, telling him that his or her (the speaker’s or writer’s) sister is there. But imagine if the comma was not intentional; if what the writer intended to use is an apostrophe! That would be confusion in its unadulterated form – like the one occasioned by petrol imported with a sea of fraudulent methanol.
The implication is that we should also be sure of what our fingers pick between the apostrophe and the comma whenever we are typesetting. The third clause? Beautiful. Well punctuated, with the apostrophe showing that we are referring to the sister of Ade (not that of Jubril or Uche).
In expressions like Ade’s book, Buhari’s minister and Ngozi’s house, the use of the apostrophe is predictable and easy to handle. When dealing with names that end with ‘s’, however, it can be more than dramatic. Examples of such names are Thomas, Festus, Justus, Erastus and James. Where do we put the apostrophe – before or after ‘s’?
Is it Festus’ computer or Festus’s computer? The simple answer is that both are correct. It is correct to put the mark after the ‘s’ and move on; it is also correct to add the apostrophe and another s. What you thus need to ensure is consistency at least within a particular write-up:
- Festus’ daughter is getting married. (Correct. Interestingly, I have a good friend – Festus Akanbi – whose beautiful daughter is currently saying I DO.)
- Festus’s daughter is getting married. (Also correct)
- James’ food has been served. (Correct)
- James’s food has been served. (Also correct)
But be careful with some names where the ‘s’ are dropped by the people involved. You know some bear Peters, while others bear Peter. Some are Philips, others are Philip. This means that while you can treat Peters and Philips as in the above, the only thing you can do with Peter and Philip is to add apostrophe and ‘s’:
I think this is Peter’s brother.
No, Philip’s brother.
In both cases the names of the guys are Peter and Philip.
Family names
Read Also
In phrases that refer to family names, the apostrophe comes after the ‘s’, not before it. These include The The Ahmeds, The Samuels, The Festuses:
The Ahmeds’ car is not well parked – referring to the car brought by the Ahmed family.
The Jameses’ car too has to be re-parked. (Here you cannot say The James’s car or The Jameses’s car!)
Rex’s or Rexs’?
In names that end with ‘x’ and ‘z’, add apostrophe and ‘s’:
- Rexs’ idea is good. (Wrong)
- Rex’s idea is good. (Correct)
- Professor Lazs’ class is always interesting. (Wrong)
- Professor Laz’s class is always interesting. (Correct)
Countries whose names end with ‘s’
There are some countries whose names end with ‘s’. Just add the apostrophe at the end:
- United States’ population is large.
- I like Bahamas’ anthem.
- Is it as interesting as Mauritius’?
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
