Singular possessive of the name Dennis?

Answer 1

The possessive singular of all English nouns, regardless of spelling, is formed by adding 's: Dennis's ( pronounced Dennises, as if it were plural).

Do not use the plural form, which is to add an apostrophe after the s. Dennis' is a plural form, not singular, and would be the plural possessive of Denni, if there were such a name.

Incorrect Correction: "Dennis'" is not a plural form. The possessive form of the name 'Dennis' is either Dennis's, or Dennis' (it's a matter of personal preference). The latter alternative is provided for the sake of euphony (compare lioness', princess', Jones', and so on - alternatives to lioness's, princess's, Jones's - which can be used if you dislike the proliferation of 's' sounds when you are saying the word aloud).


Correct correction of the incorrect correction: DENNIS' is a plural form, having the apostrophe after the final s. That is the sign of the plural possessive in Modern English. Singular possessives have their apostrophe before the final s.

The genitive singular in Modern English sounds like a plural in -s. We say I'm going to Dennis's house, with three syllables. We do not say I'm going to Dennis' ( two syllables) house. Likewise we say Jones's, Charles's, princess's, lioness's etc. No one has trouble with a "proliferation of 's' sounds" saying the plural foxes, lionesses, princesses, Joneses or Dennises, and no one should have trouble saying fox's lair or lioness's den or Dennis's house.

Only Jesus' and Moses' are exceptions, and then only in reference to the Biblical Jesus and Moses.

There are different norms in British English from those in American English, as this exchange of views illustrates.