What is the proper way to show possessive tense of a word that ends in s?

Question

Using as an example, the sentence, "In addition, each share entitles the stockholder to a share of the business's profits." Is this the correct way to show that the profit belongs to the business? Or should it be "...the business' profit? What is the rule? Looking for an english teacher to answer, ideally, but accepting all opinions. Thanks!

Answer 1

grammatically, both are correct.

The second way: business'

this is more formally 'correct', and traditionally this would have been the only form acceptable. With the modernization of the English language over time, however, the rules have become more leniant.

The first way: business's

this was not always grammatical, but a change in linguistic shift has allowed this to be permissable. It has been recognized that this is a much clearer way of illustrating the possessive, as it can get confusing otherwise.

Personally, if you are unsure I would err on the side of safety and use your second option (ss'). While they are both correct, the second way is (I would say) MORE correct.

You might find that whatever course you are writing for has a style guide which states its preferred uses of ambiguous words like these... If not, check other pieces of writing you have for that area, there has to be an illustrative example of it used somewhere!! Good Luck!!

Answer 2

I have a son Nicolas so I am Nicolas' mother so it must be the business' profits