The possessive form of nouns is made by adding an apostrophe and s, ('s); thus, day's, lady's, girl's, clerk's.
To plural nouns ending in s add only an apostrophe; thus, days', ladies', girls', clerks'.
When plural nouns do not end in s, their possessive forms are made by adding the apostrophe and s, the same as singular nouns, thus:
- They make men's and women's shoes.
90. In words which end with a sound that resembles that of s, the apostrophe with s forms an additional syllable. Thus:
- James's (pronounced James-ez.)
- Mr. Lynch's (pronounced Lynch-ez.)
The only exception to the rule occurs when the addition of another s would make too many hissing sounds, then we add the apostrophe alone. Thus:
- For goodness' sake.
- In Jesus' name.
91. In forming the possessive of compound nouns, the possessive sign is always placed at the end, thus:
- My son-in-law's sister.
- The man-of-war's cannon.