Is It James' or James's?

Last Updated: December 7, 2022

Apostrophes can be super pesky to deal with, especially when it comes to plural possessives and words or names like “James” that end in “s.” Is it okay to just add a single apostrophe at the end, or should you add an apostrophe and an “s” to the word? We’ve answered all your questions below so you can become an apostrophe expert.

Section 1 of 2:

Do you say James’ or James’s?

Both James’ and James’s are grammatically correct. Certain academic writing styles prefer one version over the other, but it doesn’t matter which one you use in your regular, written English.^{[1]
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Purdue Online Writing Lab
Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines
Go to source} Both of the following examples are correct:
- James’ dog is the cutest little thing ever.
- Did you see Mr. James’s new car?

Section 2 of 2:

Style Guide Rules for “James”

1
Use James’ when you’re writing in Associated Press (AP) style. AP is the go-to style of most journalists and news outlets. So, if you’re writing about someone named James, you’d write their name as James’ when using it as a possessive.^{[2]
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- We reached out to James’ lawyer, but he didn’t provide any further comment.
- James’ record was broken by Brown at the latest track meet.
2
Stick with James’s when you’re working in MLA or APA. In high school and university classes, you’ll probably have to write a paper in MLA (Modern Language Association) or APA (American Psychological Association) format at one point or another. Both of these styles require writers to use ’s with words or names ending in s, like “James.” ^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
Purdue Online Writing Lab
Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines
Go to source}
- James’s research agrees that ginger can help with an upset stomach.
- James’s findings remain inconclusive.
3
Choose between James’ or James’s when you’re writing in Chicago style. According to Chicago style’s official website, the organization accepts both s’ and ’s with s-ending words or names like “James.” However, the organization does state that it prefers ’s over s’.^{[4]
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- James’s performance had a remarkable effect on the audience.
- James’ lectures have become a critical part of modern philosophical history.