Determining correct use of plural/plural possessive apostrophes
When a legal company name contains a plural noun, what are the guidelines for showing possession. Example: XYZ Solutions - should this include an apostrophe or an apostrophe with an s when indicating possession? XYZ Solutions' standard operating procedures or XYZ Solutions's business license
Joyce Simpson
New member
1 answer 
Style and usage experts disagree.
The FEATURED: WRITING TIPS & TRICKS thread holds a post "Forming Possessives with Plural Nouns Ending in S" that describes the controversy.
Most Americans who went to school between 1960 and 2000 -- and several, but not all, well-respected style guides -- just add the apostrophe --> XYZ Solutions'.
Other style guides -- notably the University of Chicago Press's Chicago Manual of Style -- have recently returned to the style common a century ago. Always add apostrophre plus s --> XYZ Solutions's.
You have to find out which styke manual applies to your writing -- your teacher will tell you or your company may have a policy. If that doesn't answer the question, pick one and be consistent.
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answered Apr 30 '12 at 18:45
Jeff Pribyl
Grammarly Fellow
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I got an advance copy of Chicago's new style manual the other day and saw that they had gone back to the traditional rule. Interesting. I wonder how long it will take APA to follow suit.
Tolley, are you speaking of the 16th edition (2010) or is Chicago already issuing a 17th edition? I got my 16th last summer and would hate to have to buy another so soon.
This is the 2013 pre-edit. It appears that not much has changed from my first read-through. I make it on the list for some of the cool stuff sometimes.
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