's usage

Maïwenn · Post by **Maïwenn** » 16 Dec 2003 18:42

"Harry read Sirius's message" (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

This is different from what I learnt at school...

Is this new ? Are we now allowed to write that ? What about "Sirius' message" then ?

Thanks for your answers :-)

kokoyaya · Post by **kokoyaya** » 16 Dec 2003 18:51

I agree with you and it's the first time I see that

Demona · Post by **Demona** » 16 Dec 2003 22:13

I quote Martin Hewings Advanced Grammar in Use:
p.106 unit 53:

<...>
To make the possessive form of names ending in -s (pronounced /z/)we can add either ' or 's:
Ex.:It's Derek Jones' new sports car or It's Derek Jones's new sports car.
<...>

boubbie · Post by **boubbie** » 16 Dec 2003 23:28

Wow, I never heard about this grammar particularity before

kokoyaya · Post by **kokoyaya** » 17 Dec 2003 02:19

I've just edited the title to make it more understandable and to help those who would look for information on that grammatical point.

captncavern · Post by **captncavern** » 17 Dec 2003 12:54

I knew about that but what I learned not so long ago is that the use of 's in general is vanishing little by little. At least was I told so!

Pontus · Post by **Pontus** » 17 Dec 2003 20:36

I know that 's could be used but I've never come across it before. I believe it's custom to use just ', but really, how usual is this other unusual way to write it?

Maïwenn · Post by **Maïwenn** » 17 Dec 2003 21:22

Pontus wrote:but really, how usual is this other unusual way to write it?

Apparently J.K Rowling uses it systematically in Harry Potter 5. I can't remember how it is in the first 4 ones.

Captncavern says it's disappearing. Then it makes sense that she uses it in Harry Potter. Old fashion grammatical forms fit well with the magical atmosphere, I think.