When you want to show that something belongs to someone named Thomas, you use possessive forms. But, you might wonder, should it be “Thomas’” or “Thomas’s”? Don’t worry! Let’s break it down and make it simple.
What is a Possessive Form?
A possessive form shows that something belongs to someone or something. For example:
- “The dog’s bone” means the bone that belongs to the dog.
- “The book’s cover” means the cover that belongs to the book.
Now, let’s talk about how to use possessive forms when the person’s name is Thomas.
Singular Possessive: Thomas’ or Thomas’s?
When we talk about something that belongs to one person named Thomas, we need to add an apostrophe at the end of his name. But here’s the tricky part: Is it “Thomas’” or “Thomas’s”?
Rule:
- If the name ends with an “s” sound, you can use either “Thomas’” or “Thomas’s.” Both are correct! But using “Thomas’s” is more common in writing.
- If the name doesn’t end with an “s” sound, you would only use the apostrophe + “s.”
Plural Possessive: The Joneses or the Thomaseses?
What if there are two or more people named Thomas? The possessive form changes when you talk about multiple people. This is called the plural possessive form.
Rule:
- To make the name plural, first add an “es” after the “s” (making it “Thomases”).
- Then, to show possession, add an apostrophe at the end: Thomases’.
This shows that something belongs to more than one person named Thomas.
Let’s Look at a Table for Better Understanding
| Type | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Possessive | Thomas’ book | This means the book belongs to one person named Thomas. You can also write Thomas’s book, but Thomas’ is also correct. |
| Singular Possessive (More Common) | Thomas’s car | This means the car belongs to one person named Thomas. “Thomas’s” is often used in writing. |
| Plural Possessive | Thomases’ books | This means the books belong to more than one person named Thomas. Add “es” to make it plural, and the apostrophe at the end shows possession. |
| Plural Possessive (Alternative) | Thomases’s cars | This is less common, but you could also write Thomases’s to show possession. However, most people prefer Thomases’. |
When Do We Use Thomas’ or Thomas’s in Sentences?
Let’s look at some examples to help understand when to use Thomas’ or Thomas’s.
Singular Possessive:
- Thomas’s backpack is on the table.
- I borrowed Thomas’ pencil.
Plural Possessive:
- All of the Thomases’ shoes were scattered in the hallway.
- The Thomases’ house is big and bright.
What About Other Names That End in S?
You might wonder if this rule works for other names too. For names like James, Chris, or Charles, you can follow the same pattern:
- James’ book or James’s book (both are okay)
- Chris’s dog or Chris’ dog (both are okay)
- Charles’s hat or Charles’ hat (both are okay)
Summary
In summary:
- Singular possessive: Add an apostrophe and sometimes an “s” to show possession (e.g., Thomas’ book or Thomas’s book).
- Plural possessive: First, make the name plural by adding “es” (Thomases), then add an apostrophe (e.g., Thomases’ books).
Remember, whether you use Thomas’ or Thomas’s, both are correct, but using Thomas’s is the more common choice in writing.
This article should give you a solid understanding of how to use “Thomas’” or “Thomas’s” for singular and plural possessive forms.
