Grammar Enthusiasts Clash Over Apostrophe Use: Harris or Harris's?

Vice President Kamala Harris's decision to select Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate has sparked a debate among grammar enthusiasts. The controversy centres around the correct use of apostrophes in possessive proper nouns, particularly those ending in 'S'. Ron Woloshun, a creative director and digital marketer from California, quickly joined the discussion on social media, highlighting the contentious nature of this grammatical issue.

Grammar Rules and Opinions

The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook advises using only an apostrophe for singular proper names ending in 'S', such as "Dickens' novels" or "Jesus' life". However, not everyone agrees with this guideline. Benjamin Dreyer, retired copy chief at Random House and author of "Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style", received numerous inquiries about the topic shortly after the announcement of Walz's selection. Dreyer recommends adding an 'S' after the apostrophe for simplicity.

Woloshun expressed a similar view on the social platform X, stating, "The rule is simple: If you say the S, spell the S." This perspective aligns with major publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal but contrasts with AP's stance. Amanda Barrett, AP's vice president for news standards and inclusion, mentioned that while AP style has evolved over time, there are no current plans to change their guidance on possessives.

Historical Context and Linguistic Perspectives

Timothy Pulju, a senior lecturer in linguistics at Dartmouth College, provided historical context on the issue. He explained that until the 17th or 18th century, possessive proper names ending in 'S' often did not include an apostrophe or additional 'S'. Over time, the apostrophe was added to denote possession without changing pronunciation. Pulju believes that while the 'S' form may eventually become dominant, both forms are currently acceptable.

Pulju stated, "As long as people are communicating successfully, we say language is doing what it's supposed to be doing." He emphasised that effective communication is key and that people are generally not confused by different possessive forms.

Historical Comparisons

If Harris wins in November, she would be the third U.S. president with a last name ending in 'S', following Rutherford B. Hayes. Hayes was elected in 1876, long before social media could amplify such debates. Harris is also the first nominee with a challenging last name since Michael Dukakis in 1984. Dukakis does not recall any similar discussions during his campaign but agrees with AP's approach: "It sounds to me like it would be S, apostrophe, and that's it."

The Harris campaign has yet to take a definitive stance on this grammatical issue. A recent press release from her New Hampshire team referred to "Harris's positive vision," while her national press office mentioned "Harris' seventh trip to Nevada."

The ongoing debate highlights how even minor grammatical issues can ignite significant discussions among language enthusiasts.