Class’s or Class’ – Which is Correct?
English possesses a myriad of rules, especially when it comes to forming possessives. A common area of confusion arises with words ending in ‘s’, like “class.”
Let’s explore the difference between “class’s” and “class'” to understand their correct usage and see which style guides recommend each.
Quick Summary
Both “class’s” and “class'” are possessive forms of the noun “class.” The choice between them depends largely on stylistic guidelines. Some prefer “class’s” to indicate possession, while others opt for “class’.”
Class’s vs. Class’ – Which is Correct?
Both “class’s” and “class'” are grammatically correct ways of denoting possession for the noun “class.” The choice between them often depends on specific style guidelines.
| Word | When to Use | Example | Style Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class’s | Possessive form of “class” (common style) | The class’s performance was outstanding. | Associated Press (AP) Style, among others |
| Class’ | Alternate possessive form of “class” | The class’ discussions are always lively. | Certain cases in The Chicago Manual of Style |
How to Use Class’s
Many style guides, including the Associated Press (AP) style, recommend adding ‘s to the singular form of a word ending in ‘s’ to make it possessive.
- Example: The class’s assignment is due tomorrow. Here, the assignment belongs to the class, and the possession is indicated by ‘s.
How to Use Class’
The Chicago Manual of Style, in certain cases, accepts just an apostrophe after singular nouns ending in ‘s’ to indicate possession.
- Example: The class’ discussions are always lively. In this case, the discussions belong to the class, and possession is shown by ‘.
Conclusion
The choice between “class’s” and “class'” can be influenced by personal or institutional style preferences. While both forms are accepted in various contexts, it’s essential to be consistent in your choice throughout a single piece of writing.
When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to check the relevant style manual or refer back to this guide to clarify the use of “class’s” versus “class’.”
