When we talk about things that belong to someone, we use possessive forms of their name. You might wonder, “Should it be Ross’ or Ross’s?” This article will help you understand when to use Ross’ and when to use Ross’s, as well as the rules for forming possessives with names.
What Is Possession?
Possession means that something belongs to someone. For example:
- The ball belongs to Ross.
- The book belongs to Emma.
We say, “The ball is Ross’s ball” or “The book is Emma’s book.”
But sometimes we get confused with names like Ross! Let’s break down how to write it right.
Singular Possessive: Ross’ or Ross’s?
When we talk about something singular (one thing) that belongs to Ross, we need to make Ross’s name possessive.
Rule:
- For most names, we add an apostrophe and an “s” (e.g., Ross’s).
- But with names that already end in “s,” we often only add an apostrophe after the “s” (e.g., Ross’).
So you might see:
- “Ross’s toy” or “Ross’ toy” – both can be correct!
Let’s use a table to explain this better:
| Situation | Example | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| Singular name, ends in “s” | Ross, James, Thomas | Ross’s toy, James’s car |
| Singular name, does not end in “s” | Emma, Liam, Sam | Emma’s pencil, Liam’s bag |
| Plural name ending in “s” | The boys, the teachers | The boys’ shoes, the teachers’ books |
Plural Possessive: Adding an Apostrophe After the “S”
Now, let’s talk about plural names—when more than one person owns something. This can be a little tricky.
Rule for Plural Possessives:
- If the name ends with an “s,” just add an apostrophe at the end. No extra “s” is needed.
For example:
- “The Rosses’ house” – This means the house belongs to Ross and others with the same name.
- “The teachers’ classroom” – This shows that the classroom belongs to several teachers.
Let’s take a look at the table to make this clearer:
| Situation | Example | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| Plural name (more than one person) | The Rosses, The Joneses | The Rosses’ house, The Joneses’ car |
| Plural name, does not end in “s” | The children, the families | The children’s toys, the families’ picnic |
| Plural name ending in “s” | The cats, The teachers | The cats’ food, the teachers’ desk |
Why Is There an Apostrophe in Ross’ or Ross’s?
You might be asking, why don’t we always do the same thing with names? Here’s why:
- The apostrophe helps us know the thing belongs to someone. When a name ends in s, we can make it clear by adding just the apostrophe (Ross’), but you can also add both an apostrophe and “s” (Ross’s) if you prefer. Both ways are accepted.
Is It “Ross’” or “Ross’s” Better?
Some people say using Ross’s is better because it sounds like “Ross is.” Other people like Ross’ because it feels cleaner for names already ending in “s.” Both are correct! But remember, consistency is key. Stick to one form in your writing.
Quick Summary Table
Let’s review what we learned in a simple chart:
| Type of Name | Apostrophe Form |
|---|---|
| Singular possessive (Ross) | Ross’s or Ross’ |
| Plural possessive (multiple Rosses) | Rosses’ |
| Plural possessive (ending with s, like cats) | Cats’ food |
Final Thoughts
Using the right possessive form can be tricky, but now you know the difference between Ross’ and Ross’s! When in doubt, just think: Is the name singular or plural? Does it already end with an “s”?
Most importantly, remember both forms can be correct! Choose the one that feels best for your writing, and always keep things simple.
