What is the pronunciation of the possessive words that already end in s?





When did it become correct to add an ‘s’ to a singular possessive already ending in ‘s’?
Which singular names ending in “s” form possessives with only a bare apostrophe?



My name is Greg — this is Greg 's post.


If my name ended with an 's', I am aware of the proper apostrophe usage (James → James'), but how should this be pronounced?


Phonetically, am I Jameses best friend or James best friend?



Answer




James' [z] best friend



sounds better. If this is the right form, then according to this thread, [z] would apply:



In the suffix -(e)s, indicative of the plural of a noun, the possessive case of a noun, or the 3rd. person singular past tense of a verb, the -s is read:





  • voiceless, [s], when it comes after a voiceless consonant...



    cats, tracks, boots, walks, etc.





  • and voiced, [z], when it comes after a voiced consonant or a vowel.



    dogs, cars, skies, keys, days, etc.





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