It's been quite the debate if the apostrophe sign (') goes at the end of a word that ends in (S) or do we just add on another (S)? Could this be a British vs. American thing? or is this a new established rule?
examples; James' car vs. James's car
Chris' job vs. Chris's job
At university I was taught that we add an additional s for contemporary people, but not for historical figures. ie. Mr Jones's but Jesus'. I have no idea what the rationale for this rule was/is but that's what we were taught. In everyday writing I think I tend to go back and forth interchangeably without thinking about it. When I was teaching I taught/accepted both.
I'm not aware of a difference between US and GB English in this area.
Personally, I go with the sound of the word. In most cases you hear an extra 's' and add an extra syllable /iz/, so I add apostrophe + s, for example Chris's /krisiz/.
The only times when I wouldn't add an extra 's' after the apostrophe is when the possessive form doesn't add the extra syllable /iz/. This is usually the case with silent s sounds eg the name Louis. I wouldn't add an extra s here - I'd just write " Louis' " .
As a Chinese, I get the rules from our book. If the ends with an S, just need a '
I totally agree, but new grammar books are showing differently!
I was always taught if it ends with an "s" than the apostrophe goes at the end. No extra "s" is added. I am American and was taught years ago.
