Jones’ or Jones’s? (Which is Correct?)

Jones’ or Jones’s? When it comes to showing possession for the name “Jones,” many people wonder whether to use just an apostrophe or add an extra “s.”

The correct form actually depends on the style guide you follow, but both options are widely accepted.

Jones’ or Jones’s?

Both “Jones’” and “Jones’s” are used, and there’s no universally agreed-upon answer. Here’s a breakdown of the two options:

• Jones’s: This follows the standard rule for forming possessives with singular nouns ending in “s” by adding an apostrophe and “s.” It’s generally considered more common and is recommended by many style guides.
• Jones’: This omits the extra “s” after the apostrophe. Some prefer this option for readability or because it avoids adding another sibilant sound to a word that already has one.

Here are some tips for choosing between the two:

• Consistency: If you’re writing a longer piece, it’s best to pick one way and stick with it throughout.
• Style Guide: If you’re following a particular style guide (like APA or Chicago), check their specific recommendations for possessives with singular nouns ending in “s.”
• Readability: If adding the extra “s” makes the pronunciation awkward, you might opt for the apostrophe alone.

Ultimately, both “Jones’” and “Jones’s” are widely understood, so the most important thing is to be consistent within your writing.

Here is a table summarizing the two options:

Singular noun	Possessive case
Jones	Jones’ (common, recommended by style guides)
Jones	Jones’s (acceptable, avoids extra ‘s’ sound)

Understanding the Possessive Form:

• When a singular noun ends in “s,” you can choose to add an apostrophe + s (Jones’s) or just an apostrophe (Jones’).
• Both forms are generally accepted, but it’s important to be consistent throughout your writing.
• For names ending in double “s,” such as “Williams,” it is recommended to use the apostrophe + s form (Williams’s).
• In cases of plural nouns ending in “s,” you only need to add an apostrophe after the existing “s” (e.g., dogs’ bones).
• For irregular plural nouns that do not end in “s,” like children or men, remember to use the apostrophe + s form (children’s toys, men’s clothing).

Is it Jones’s or Jones legal writing?

In legal writing, the preferred way to form the possessive of a singular noun ending in “s” is Jones’s.

Here’s why:

• Formal Consistency: Legal writing emphasizes formality and consistency. “Jones’s” aligns with the standard possessive rule for singular nouns (adding apostrophe and “s”).
• Clarity: “Jones’s” avoids any potential confusion with the plural form (“The Joneses’ house”).

While “Jones’” might be acceptable in general writing, legal writing leans towards a more established and unambiguous approach.

Guidelines for Using Apostrophes Correctly:

Possessive Nouns:

• For singular nouns, use ‘s (e.g., Jones’s book).
• For plural nouns ending in “s,” use only an apostrophe (e.g., the students’ desks).
• For plural nouns not ending in “s,” use ‘s (e.g., children’s toys).

Contractions:

• Use an apostrophe to replace missing letters in contractions (e.g., don’t, can’t).

Joint Possession:

• When two or more people share ownership, only the last name gets an apostrophe followed by an s. (e.g., Jane and John’s car)

Individual Ownership:

• If two or more people own separate items, each name should have its possessive form. (e.g., Jane’s and John’s cars)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using “Jones’” when referring to singular possession
• Incorrectly adding an apostrophe before the “s” in plural possessive forms
• Misplacing or omitting the apostrophe in possessive nouns

When deciding whether to use “Jones’ or Jones’s,” it is crucial to remember that:

1. For singular nouns ending in -s, you can usually add ‘s (e.g., Jones’s car), but sometimes just an apostrophe is sufficient if it sounds awkward with another ‘s (e.g., Jones’ office).
2. Plural nouns not ending in -s also require an ‘s for possession (e.g., children’s toys).
3. Contractions like it’s and possessives like its have different meanings; always double-check for accuracy.

Examples of Proper Usage:

Possessive Form with Singular Nouns:

• Jones’s car is parked in the driveway.

Possessive Form with Plural Nouns:

• The Joneses’ vacation home is by the beach.

Joint Possession:

• Sarah and Jones’s presentation was well-received.

Singular Proper Noun Ending in “s”:

• Charles Dickens’s novels are classics.

Plural Proper Noun Ending in “s”:

Incorrect	Correct
The Jonesses’ new dog	The Joneses’ new dog

Is it Miss Jones or Miss Jones’s?

In the case of “Miss Jones,” you would use Miss Jones without the apostrophe and “s.”

Here’s why:

• Miss Jones is not indicating possession. It’s simply a title followed by the last name.
• Possessive apostrophes are used to show ownership, like “Miss Jones’s class” (meaning the class belongs to Miss Jones).
• When addressing someone by title and last name, the standard way is to write it without the possessive apostrophe.

So, “Miss Jones” is the correct way to refer to her unless you’re specifically indicating something she owns or is responsible for.