(Untitled)

[claripossum]

I have a question. Which is correct?

"Chuck Norris's Dad"

"Chuck Norris' Dad"

I saw this on a humor site a few minutes ago, and suddenly I can't recall which is correct. "Norris" isn't a plural noun so it seems to me that the first should be correct, but I don't remember what the rule is.

Edit: Thanks guys! My curiosity has been satisfied. :)

Comments

[drowsyfantasy]

Isn't there some kind of rule about names ending in "S" (eg. Chris, Alexis, etc) where you just put the apostrophe after the s?

[claripossum]

I thought that was the case, but it just seemed a little off to me. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I just like having a distinction between whether it's plural or just happens to end in an S. :)

[kadnkadnk]

I just took a class that reviewed basic grammar rules, and the instructor told us that both were correct.

[tari_sue]

I would say the first one is correct, but actually both are and I just don't like the second

[janeite723]

I think it has something to do with pronunciation. If you'd pronounce it "Chuck Norris dad," then put the apostrophe after the S. But if you'd say "Chuck Norrises dad," then put an apostrophe and an S. Honestly, with names ending in S, I think either version is okay.

[danthered]

It's nothing to do with pronunciation. Either is correct in almost the same way that extreme descriptivists will argue that thru is just as good as through and that "Nu'·kyu·lər" is just as valid as "Nu'·klee·ər".

A word or name that ends with the letter "s" is made possessive by appending an apostrophe. Sears' big sale starts tomorrow. Chuck Norris' dad thinks Chuck is a dillweed. Pronounced "Searses" and "Norrises", respectively.

Any other word or name, including one that sounds as if it ends with the letter "s" , is made possessive by appending an apostrophe and the letter "s". Michael Jackson's dad also thinks Chuck Norris is a dillweed. Ace's new corporate logo incorporates hammers and clamps to reinforce their long history in the hardware business.