Do you find yourself confused about how to create the possessive form of James? Don’t worry. It happens to the best of us!
It can be tricky because it’s a name that ends in “s.” Those are always fun to figure out. Especially since you might have seen the possessive appear in two variations: James’ or James’s.
But which one is correct?
In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to know. But before we get bogged down in the details, let’s look at the correct possessive form of James.
The possessive form of James is James’ and James’s. Both variations are correct. The one you use depends on the style guide being followed for your content. For example, if the company or website you write for follows the Associated Press Stylebook, you would use James’. With any other style guide, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, you’ll likely use James’s.
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When Should the Possessive Form of James Be James’?
As explained above, the version of the possessive form of James you use will depend on the particular circumstance, which will be determined by the style guide being used. So, if you’re writing for a newspaper, journal, or other media outlet, you’ll likely have to follow AP style, though it is not limited just to these industries. Nor is it consistent even in these industries.
If you didn’t know, the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook is a popular source of information for professional writers. It provides guidance on how to write in various formats, including possessive forms.
When it comes to the possessive form of James, AP style dictates that it should be written as James’. This rule applies only to names that end with “s.”
Therefore, when referring to something belonging to James, use the apostrophe followed by no other letter: James’.
To illustrate the use of this possessive form further, here are some examples:
When it was time for dinner, James’ family gathered around the table.
The toy that belonged to James’ brother made him jealous.
The football game on Saturday was special because it was at James’ school.
James’ mother bought new curtains for his bedroom.
To reach their destination faster, they decided to take James’ car instead of walking.
When Should the Possessive Form of James Be James’s?
Most other style guides require using James’s instead of James’. So, basically, you’re supposed to add the extra “s” after the apostrophe. This applies to any situation where the Chicago Manual of Style, the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Manual, or the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) are used. Granted, that is often in academic circles, but not always.
Here are some examples of using the possessive form, James’s, in different contexts:
James’s car was the most impressive at the showroom.
James’s new phone has a lot of features that I’m jealous of.
James’s taste in music is quite eclectic.
James’s cooking is always so delicious!
The painting in James’s living room is a masterpiece.
What Possessive Form of James to Use When There’s No Style Guide?
So, what can you do when there’s no style guide or guidance? Which possessive form of James should you be using?
The use of possessive forms with proper names is generally based on personal preference and style guides, but if there’s no clear guidance, it’s best to err on the side of caution and use the more formal James’s. This form is often seen in more formal writing and can help to ensure that your writing is more consistent and professional.
And if you’re writing for yourself or for your own website? In that case, consistency is key. In other words, pick an approach and stick to it. If you’re going back and forth all the time between James’ and James’s, you’ll just give your readers a headache.
Now, it’s imperative to note that this rule of adding an apostrophe and an “s” after a word or naming ending in “s” only applies to the singular. If we’re dealing with plural nouns, things change.
Check out this article on the possessive forms of words ending in “s” and this one about forming the possessive form of names ending in “s” to learn more.
Do I Always Have to Use an Apostrophe to Show Something Belongs to James?
No, you don’t always have to use the apostrophe. There are other ways to show possession in the English language.
For example, instead of saying, “James’s mouth was curled up in disgust,” you could say, “The mouth of James was curled up in disgust.” Grammatically, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this approach.
However, stylistically is an entirely different matter.
In English writing, it’s best to be as concise as possible to ensure that readers focus on your message rather than the words themselves. This is especially important in non-fiction writing.
The more concise you are, the better. And that’s why it sounds better to say “James’s mouth” instead of “the mouth of James.” The apostrophe “s” approach is much more efficient and less confusing.
Does the Apostrophe Always Represent the Possessive Form of James?
The apostrophe isn’t only used in possessive constructions. It can also be used to form contractions. So, James’s might indicate possession, but it might also represent the contraction of “James is.”
And the only way to tell the difference is by using context.
Generally, if you can replace James’s with “James is” and the sentence still makes sense, then it’s a contraction.
Example:
James’s dog gobbled up his dinner in record time.
James is dog gobbled up his dinner in record time.
In the above example, James’s represents the possessive. We’re talking about a dog that belongs to James.
So, when we try replacing James’s with “James is,” the sentence makes about as much sense as a walrus in a suit boarding an airplane.
Oh, and if you want to check out how to form the possessive of another annoying word, check out this article about forming the possessive of walrus.
Let’s look at another example.
James’s ready to go as soon as you are.
James is ready to go as soon as you are.
As you can see, in this case, when we replace James’s with “James is, “the sentence still makes complete sense, so it’s a contraction.
Origin Of The Name James
Ah, the beloved name of James. It’s a classic staple in many households, and its popularity has spanned centuries. But where did it come from? Let’s take a look at the origin of this timeless moniker!
The name James comes from the Hebrew name Jacob (Ya’aqov), which means “supplanter” or “one who takes by the heel.”
So, how did we end up with “James” in English? Well, it seems that “Ya’aqov” was translated into Latin as “Iacobus,” which then became “Iacomus” in Vulgar Latin.
Then, the Normans arrived on the scene in the 13th century and introduced the name to England.
At first, “James” became more popular in Scotland. Then, in the 17th century, Scottish King James VI inherited the English throne, so the name became much more popular nationwide. And it has been incredibly popular ever since.
In fact, it was among the most common names given to boys throughout the 20th century. Here are some variants of James, along with popular diminutives:
| Variant | Diminutive |
|---|---|
| Jim | Jimbo |
| Jimmy | Jiminy |
| Jaime | Jaimey |
| Jamie | Jay |
| Jacob | Jake |
| Jacomus | Jaco |
| Hamish | Ham |
| Jacqueline | Jacqui |
| Jamesina | Jamesa |
The name “James” isn’t popular just in English. In fact, many other languages have some form of the name. Below are just some examples:
| Language | Version of Name James |
|---|---|
| Afrikaans | Jakobus |
| Czech | Jakub |
| Dutch | Jacob |
| French | Jacques |
| German | Jakob |
| Greek | Iakovos |
| Hungarian | Jakab |
| Irish | Seamus |
| Italian | Giacomo |
| Maori | Hemi |
| Polish | Jakub |
| Portuguese | Jaime |
| Russian | Iakov |
| Spanish | Santiago |
| Swedish | Jakob |
| Turkish | Yakup |
| Ukranian | Yakiv |
| Welsh | Iago |
| Swahili | Yakobo |
| Zulu | Jakobe |
Now Go Forth and Conquer the Possessive Form of James
Overall, understanding when and how to properly use the possessive form for the name James is essential.
Whether you decide to go with either James’ or James’s, follow the guidelines set forth by your particular style guide. And, when in doubt, it’s always best to stick to the more formal option of “James’s.”
Now, you can use the possessive form of James without worrying about making mistakes. Happy writing!