Nicholas’ or Nicholas’ swhich one is correct? Many writers struggle with this grammar rule, especially when dealing with possessive nouns ending in “s.” Both forms show ownership, but their usage depends on style guides like AP Style and the Chicago Manual of Style.
Some prefer Nicholas’ for journalistic writing, while others choose Nicholas’s for formal writing. The key to clear writing is consistency following a single writing guideline throughout your work.
This article explains apostrophe placement, possessive forms, and common mistakes to avoid. By understanding singular possessive and plural possessive rules, you can improve your sentence construction and ensure writing clarity in any document.
Quick Summary
Understanding Nicholas’ vs. Nicholas’s can be confusing. Both are possessive forms, but their usage depends on grammar rules and style guides.
Some guides, like AP Style, prefer Nicholas’, while others, like the Chicago Manual of Style, recommend Nicholas’s. The right choice depends on punctuation, writing clarity, and rule consistency.
This article explains everything, including apostrophe placement, possessive nouns, and grammar mistakes to avoid.
Understanding Nicholas’ or Nicholas’s
In English grammar, names ending in “s” can be tricky when showing ownership. Some people write Nicholas’ book, while others write Nicholas’s book.
Both are correct, but style consistency is key. Some grammar experts say Nicholas’s follows singular possessive rules better. Others argue that Nicholas’ is simpler and avoids extra apostrophes.
The best approach is to follow the style guide that fits your writing guidelines.
Origins of Nicholas’
The form Nicholas’ comes from older English language usage. In early English, people often dropped the extra “s” to make writing cleaner.
Over time, journalistic style and AP Style adopted this approach. Newspapers and magazines use Nicholas’ because it is shorter and improves writing clarity.
Although Nicholas’ is common in news writing, it is not the standard in formal writing or academic writing.
Origins of Nicholas’s
The form Nicholas’s follows traditional grammar rules. According to linguistic rules, a singular possessive noun always gets an apostrophe + s (’s)—even if the name ends in “s”.
The Chicago Manual of Style and MLA Style recommend Nicholas’s for rule consistency. It is widely used in academic writing, legal documents, and formal writing.
Many grammar tutorials and writing handbooks also support this approach.
Nicholas’: Definition and Usage
Nicholas’ is a singular possessive form used without adding an extra “s”. It appears mainly in AP Style, journalistic writing, and news articles.
Nicholas’ Usage
Writers use Nicholas’ in:
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Online news articles
- Business documents
- Headlines
Synonyms of Nicholas’
- The property of Nicholas
- Nicholas’ belongings
- Nicholas’ car
- The house of Nicholas
- Nicholas’ dog
- Nicholas’ book
- The research of Nicholas
- Nicholas’ project
- Nicholas’ jacket
- The speech of Nicholas
Examples of Nicholas’ in Sentences
- Nicholas’ jacket was left at the office.
- Nicholas’ article appeared in a newspaper.
- Nicholas’ speech inspired many.
Nicholas’s: Definition and Usage
Nicholas’s is a singular possessive form that follows proper punctuation rules. It adds an extra apostrophe + s (’s) for grammar accuracy.
Nicholas’s Usage
Writers use Nicholas’s in:
- Academic writing
- Professional reports
- Legal documents
- Books and research papers
Synonyms of Nicholas’s
- Nicholas’s assets
- Nicholas’s ideas
- The apartment of Nicholas
- Nicholas’s business
- Nicholas’s cat
- Nicholas’s paintings
- The decision of Nicholas
- Nicholas’s phone
- Nicholas’s leadership
- Nicholas’s reputation
Examples of Nicholas’s in Sentences
- Nicholas’s research was published in a journal.
- Nicholas’s car broke down on the highway.
- Nicholas’s decision affected the whole company.
Style Guide Rules: Nicholas’s or Nicholas’?
Different style guides recommend different possessive forms. Here’s how they compare:
| Style Guide | Preferred Form |
| AP Style (Journalism) | Nicholas’ |
| Chicago Manual of Style | Nicholas’s |
| MLA Style (Academia) | Nicholas’s |
| APA Style | Nicholas’s |
| Oxford Style | Nicholas’s |
To maintain writing consistency, choose a style guide and follow its grammar rules.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Adding Extra Apostrophes
Some writers incorrectly place apostrophes everywhere.
Nicholas’s’ book (Incorrect)
Nicholas’s book (Correct)
Mistake 2: Confusing Singular and Plural Possessives
- Singular possessive: Nicholas’s house (One person)
- Plural possessive: The Nicholases’ house (Multiple people)
Google Ngram Insights: Nicholas’s vs. Nicholas’
Google Ngram Viewer shows that:
- Nicholas’s appears more in books and research papers.
- Nicholas’ is more common in news articles and modern writing.
| Form | Common in |
| Nicholas’ | Newspapers, blogs |
| Nicholas’s | Books, research |
Scenario Examples: Using Nicholas’s and Nicholas’
- Nicholas’ jacket was left at the office.
- Nicholas’s research was published in a journal.
- We read Nicholas’ article in the newspaper.
- Nicholas’s car broke down on the highway.
Practical Tips for Using Nicholas’s and Nicholas’
- If using AP Style, drop the extra “s” (Nicholas’).
- If following Chicago Style, add ’s (Nicholas’s).
- Stay consistent in your writing.
- If unsure, reword the sentence to avoid grammar mistakes.
Nicholas’ Example
Here are examples using Nicholas’ in sentences:
- Nicholas’ jacket was left at the office.
- The team celebrated Nicholas’ victory.
- We read Nicholas’ article in the newspaper.
- Nicholas’ house is located near the beach.
- The students admired Nicholas’ leadership skills.
- Nicholas’ car broke down on the highway.
- The teacher reviewed Nicholas’ homework carefully.
- Nicholas’ speech inspired the entire audience.
- We attended Nicholas’ birthday party last weekend.
- The museum displayed Nicholas’ artwork.
Nicholas’s Example
Here are examples using Nicholas’s in sentences:
- Nicholas’s book was placed on the shelf.
- We visited Nicholas’s apartment last night.
- Nicholas’s decision changed the outcome of the project.
- The teacher praised Nicholas’s writing skills.
- Nicholas’s cat loves to sit by the window.
- The company approved Nicholas’s proposal.
- Nicholas’s paintings were displayed in the gallery.
- Everyone admired Nicholas’s leadership qualities.
- Nicholas’s phone kept ringing during the meeting.
- The judge reviewed Nicholas’s legal case carefully.
READ MORE ………Propose or Purpose: What’s the Difference?
FAQs:
Which is correct, Nicholas or Nicholas’s?
Both are correct; Nicholas’s follows formal writing rules, while Nicholas’ is used in journalistic style.
Do you put an apostrophe after the S in a name possessive?
Yes, if following AP Style, use Nicholas’; for Chicago Manual of Style, use Nicholas’s.
How do you make Russ possessive?
For singular possessive, write Russ’s, but some styles allow Russ’.
What is the plural form of Nicolas?
The plural form is Nicolases.
How do you pluralize a name with an S?
Add -es to the name, like Jones Joneses or Harris Harrises.
Conclusion
Nicholas’ or Nicholas’s both forms are correct, but their usage depends on grammar rules and style guides. Nicholas’ is common in journalistic style and AP Style, while Nicholas’s follows formal writing rules and is preferred in the Chicago Manual of Style.
The key to proper possessive form usage is consistency. Always follow one writing guideline to maintain clear writing and editing accuracy. Whether you choose Nicholas’ or Nicholas’s, ensure your punctuation aligns with the correct singular possessive form for a polished and professional piece of writing.
