Hi, my newest question concerns the correct way of writing the Saxon genitive. So, when we have an ordinary singular noun, we just add 's (e.g. Mike’s car) at the end of it, whereas in the case of plural nouns with an -s ending, the genitive should compose of nothing but the apostrophe (so students’ rights but people’s and women’s rights). That part seems rather clear but correct me if I got anything wrong.
At the same time I’m not so sure about singular nouns ending with an “s”. Should it be:
The coward’s way out is just to put the apostrophe after Dennis and Phineas to indicate possession and that’s the one I choose. Otherwise you get caught up with endless variations as to whether the name is classical, religious or literary. Naturally you pronounce the word as if you are saying ‘es’ as in: Dennis’ car and Phineas’ bike.
Hang on, Alan, the idiom you alluded to reads “To take the coward’s way out” that is, to kill oneself.
So, following your lead and putting an apostrophe after ‘s’ we’re invited to do something suicidal?
Regards.
No, no. Alan is just saying that it is easier for him to use the apostrophe-no-‘s’ rather than use “-s’s” for some and “-'s” for others. He has that option.