The Smiths’ vs. The Smiths’s – Which is Correct?
The correct possessive form for a plural noun ending in ‘s’, such as the family name “Smiths,” is the Smiths’. The form “the Smiths’s” is grammatically incorrect. When a plural noun already ends in ‘s’, you only add an apostrophe to make it possessive, indicating something belonging to the entire Smith family.
The Smiths’ or The Smiths’s – Which is Correct?
The distinction between “the Smiths'” and “the Smiths’s” comes down to a fundamental rule of English possessive formation. “The Smiths'” is the only grammatically correct option. “The Smiths” is already a plural noun, referring to multiple people named Smith or the entire Smith family. To show possession for a plural noun that ends in ‘s’, you simply add an apostrophe after the ‘s’.
The form “the Smiths’s” is incorrect because it attempts to apply the rule for singular nouns ending in ‘s’ (like “James’s car”) to a plural noun. This often arises from phonetic confusion, as both forms sound very similar when spoken. However, in writing, only “the Smiths'” accurately reflects the possessive plural.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
The easiest trick to remember which form is correct is to think about the base noun first. If the noun is plural and already ends in ‘s’ (like “cats,” “friends,” or “Smiths”), then you only add an apostrophe at the end to show possession. You do not add an extra ‘s’.
The “Plural S, Just Apostrophe” Rule:
- If the noun is plural AND ends in ‘s’ (e.g., “Smiths”), just add an apostrophe: “Smiths'”.
- If the noun is singular AND ends in ‘s’ (e.g., “James”), add an apostrophe and an ‘s’: “James’s”.
Since “Smiths” is plural and ends in ‘s’, you apply the first rule: “the Smiths'”.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Smiths’ | Possessive Plural Noun | Belonging to the Smith family (plural) | The Smiths’ holiday party is always a highlight. |
| The Smiths’s | Incorrect Form | Grammatically incorrect possessive form for a plural noun | (Incorrect – avoid using this form) |
How to Use The Smiths’
“The Smiths'” is used to indicate something belonging to the entire Smith family. It is a possessive form of a plural noun. This usage is standard in both formal and casual writing and speech. It clearly communicates that the possession is collective, belonging to more than one person within the Smith household.
Example 1: We were invited to the Smiths’ annual barbecue next weekend.
Example 2: The new fence marks the boundary between our property and the Smiths’.
Example 3: Have you seen the Smiths’ new golden retriever puppy?
What are the different forms of The Smiths’?
“The Smiths'” is already a specific grammatical construction—a possessive plural noun. It doesn’t have different “forms” in the way verbs have tenses or adjectives have degrees of comparison. Instead, its formation follows a clear rule for possessives:
- Singular Noun: To make a singular noun possessive, add ‘s (e.g., “Smith’s car”).
- Plural Noun (not ending in ‘s’): To make a plural noun that doesn’t end in ‘s’ possessive, add ‘s (e.g., “children’s toys”).
- Plural Noun (ending in ‘s’): To make a plural noun that already ends in ‘s’ possessive, add only an apostrophe (e.g., “the Smiths’ house,” “the students’ desks”).
Therefore, “the Smiths'” is the singular, correct possessive form for the plural noun “Smiths.”
Etymology of the word The Smiths’
The word “Smith” is one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world, originating from the Old English word “smið,” meaning “one who works with metal” or “blacksmith.” The addition of “the” indicates reference to a specific family or group of individuals sharing that surname. The apostrophe in “the Smiths'” indicates possession, following the grammatical evolution of possessive forms in English. Originally, possession was shown through inflection (e.g., “goddes love”), but over time, the ‘s’ became a marker, and eventually, the apostrophe was introduced to distinguish possessives from plurals, especially after plural nouns already ending in ‘s’.
Related Concepts
Understanding the broader grammatical concepts of possessive nouns and apostrophe usage is key to correctly forming phrases like “the Smiths’.”
- Possessive Nouns: These are nouns that show ownership or a close relationship. They are typically formed by adding an apostrophe and ‘s’ (‘s) to singular nouns, or just an apostrophe (‘) to plural nouns already ending in ‘s’.
- Apostrophes: This punctuation mark has two primary uses: to indicate possession (as discussed) and to indicate omitted letters in contractions (e.g., “don’t,” “it’s” for “it is”). Correct apostrophe placement is crucial for clarity and grammatical accuracy.
Examples from Media and Literature
Correct usage of “the Smiths'” can be found in various contexts, from news articles to fictional works, demonstrating its standard application:
- “In their latest community initiative, the Smiths’ foundation announced a new scholarship program for local students.”
- “The local newspaper ran a feature on the Smiths’ historic farm, which has been in their family for generations.”
- “After years of careful planning, the Smiths’ dream home was finally complete, standing proudly on the hill.”
- “The annual neighborhood potluck tradition began at the Smiths’ house back in the 1970s.”
- “Everyone admired the Smiths’ dedication to their garden, which bloomed vibrantly every summer.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why is “the Smiths’s” incorrect?
“The Smiths’s” is incorrect because “Smiths” is already a plural noun (referring to the family). When a plural noun ends in ‘s’, you only add an apostrophe to make it possessive (e.g., “the Smiths'”). Adding an extra ‘s’ is reserved for singular nouns ending in ‘s’ (e.g., “James’s”).
Question 2: How do you form the possessive of a plural noun that ends in ‘s’?
To form the possessive of a plural noun that already ends in ‘s’, simply add an apostrophe after the ‘s’. For example, “the students” becomes “the students’,” and “the Joneses” (referring to the Jones family) becomes “the Joneses’.”
Question 3: What if the family name is singular but ends in ‘s’?
If a singular family name ends in ‘s’ (e.g., “Jones” referring to Mr. Jones, or “Harris” referring to Ms. Harris), the possessive can be formed in two ways according to modern style guides: by adding ‘s (e.g., “Jones’s car”) or by adding just an apostrophe (e.g., “Jones’ car”). However, for plural family names ending in ‘s’ (like “Smiths”), only “the Smiths'” is correct.
Conclusion
In the debate of “the Smiths'” versus “the Smiths’s,” the grammatically correct choice is definitively the Smiths’. This form correctly applies the rule for creating possessives of plural nouns that already end in ‘s’, requiring only an apostrophe after the ‘s’. Understanding this rule is crucial for clear and accurate written communication. A consistent and correct application of possessive forms, especially for common surnames, reflects attention to detail and enhances your professional reputation.
