X and S

The possessive form of singular nouns is always made by adding an appostrophe and an "s," even if the word ends with an s-like sound.

So it's Fort Knox's walls.

Also: "Jones's car" if there is only one Jones. If you're writing about the Jones family, they are the Joneses and thier car is the "Joneses' car." Same pronounciation, different spelling.

Yes, Fort Knox's walls is the answer because it doesn't end in S although the x sounds s. But, how about Jones's car? Are you sure it is Jones'S car, not Jones' car?

Answer: Fort Knox's walls

Harry: I don't think so. Perhaps I misunderstand you, but are you suggesting that a plural word like "Joneses" actually *loses* an "s" when it's made into a possessive?

When spelling the plural possessive form of autumn, do you spell it autumns' or autumn's?

gee confused, is that a trick question? When would you use the plural possessive form of autumn? If you were to say "Autumn's change in temperature...", that would still be the singular possessive, even if you were talking about every autumn, not just this autumn. I suppose you could say "The past twelve autumns' changes in temperature were excessive", which would use the plural possessive form and would be spelled "autumns'."

I learned it this way:

If a word ends with S, you add apostrophe-S if you pronounce the S, and you drop it if you don't pronounce it.

"The cars' engines were running smoothly."
"The ladies' restroom is to the left."
"In Jesus' name, Amen."

but

"That is Mr. Jones's car."
"The boss's wife is attractive."
"There's a party tonight at Chris's house."

X is not S, so you must add 'S:

"Fort Knox's security system was compromised."

Modern proper names take 'S (Chris's, Jones's, etc.), but ancient proper names do not if they contain more than one S (Jesus', Moses').

Why can you not put an apostrophe after the x?

Not so fast, Edna. A short search shows many grammar sites show that 's should be added to possesive singulars ending in s, others show no s, and still others show it to be the writer's choice.

The apostrophe-s is essential in the possessive case!
Let's consider this example:
Mr Edwards's son
How else would I know that this man's surname is Edwards and not Edward if I don't add an 's' after the apostrophe (however awkward it may sound)?

Andrew, if his name was Edward, the possessive would be Edward's. If his name is Edwards the possessive is Edwards'. Where's the confusion?

Beverly addressed academic and business - what about legal writing - briefs, pleasdings, etc.

Help!
When a last name ends in x should es be added if you are addressing an envelope to the whole family.

Based on what I learned in English, you add ('s) for possessive words that:
1) don't end in (s): Micheal's, Ronald's, The dutch's, The fleet's
2) are mono-syllabic that end in either (x) or (s): Rex's, Hans's, Ross's
3) are multi-syllabic that end in (x): Xerex's, Pyrex's

You don't add ('s) for words that are:
1) multi-syllabic and end in (s): Jesus', Reyes', Laos', Cyprus'

Hope that helps :)

Well it's definitely not "The Joneses's car" if it belongs to the whole Jones family.

How do I make the name Fox in possessive plural form?
Ex. Ms. Fox' instructional practices... or Ms. Fox's instructional practices...

What if the 's is not a possessive but an elision, like in the contractions of has and is?
Are the following sentences correct?

Alex's got a cold
Max's doing his homework
the ox's running
the ox's finished the hay

Thank you