Have you ever had to refer to more than one Jones at a time? Or figure out possessives of last names ending in s? If so, this quiz is for you!

Is the form of Simpson used in this example correct?

The Simpson's are coming over for a pool party.

yes

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Multiple Simpson family members came over. To form the plural of Simpson, add only an s. Stay away from that apostrophe key!

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Multiple Simpson family members came over. To form the plural of Simpson, add only an s. Stay away from that apostrophe key!

What is the plural possessive of Jones, as in "The ________ house is over there!"

Jones'

Jones's

Joneses's

Joneses'

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

First make Jones plural. The plural of Jones is Joneses, just as the plural of "dress" is "dresses." Then add an apostrophe, just as you would do with a regular old plural possessive in English.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

First make Jones plural. The plural of Jones is Joneses, just as the plural of "dress" is "dresses." Then add an apostrophe, just as you would do with a regular old plural possessive in English.

Which possessive form can be found in published writing?

I found ________ (Charles', Charles's) proposal on the bathroom counter.

Charles'

Charles's

both Charles' and Charles's

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Both forms are in use. Many newspapers use Charles', but The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal both use Charles's. So do we!

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Both forms are in use. Many newspapers use Charles', but The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal both use Charles's. So do we!

There are three _____ (plural of Amy) and four ______ (plural of John) in my child's kindergarten class.

Amys, Johns

Amy's, John's

Amies, Johns

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

To form the plural of a singular name that doesn't end in an s or another sibilant, just add an s.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

To form the plural of a singular name that doesn't end in an s or another sibilant, just add an s.

If I tell you about the Burts' pets, what is the last name of the family I am describing?

Burts

Burt

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

The plural of Burt is Burts. The plural of Burts would be Burtses.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

The plural of Burt is Burts. The plural of Burts would be Burtses.

Bart Foot, Carrie Foot, Lara Foot, Cab Foot, and Rover Foot are coming over for dinner. You are hosting the _____ (plural of Foot).

Feet

Foots

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Although the plural of the common noun "foot" is "feet," names don't work that way. Just add an s to Foot to form the plural.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Although the plural of the common noun "foot" is "feet," names don't work that way. Just add an s to Foot to form the plural.

Randy found the Roberts wandering down the wrong block. What is the surname of the people Randy found wandering down the wrong block?

Robert

Roberts

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

The plural of Robert is Roberts. The plural of Roberts would be Robertses.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

The plural of Robert is Roberts. The plural of Roberts would be Robertses.

The Ness family lives nearby. You tell your friend, "The ______ (Ness', Ness's, Nesses') house is just down the block."

Ness'

Ness's

Nesses'

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

First make Ness plural: Nesses. Then add the apostrophe, just as you would with any other regular plural possessive in English: Nesses'.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

First make Ness plural: Nesses. Then add the apostrophe, just as you would with any other regular plural possessive in English: Nesses'.

If there were a movie in which Bruno Mars were cloned, there would be two ____________.

Bruno Mars

Bruno Marses

Bruno Mar's

Bruno Mars's

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

To form the plural of a name, follow the same pattern you do for regular common nouns ending in s—add es. "Address" becomes "addresses," and an additional Bruno Mars would make two Bruno Marses.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

To form the plural of a name, follow the same pattern you do for regular common nouns ending in s—add es. "Address" becomes "addresses," and an additional Bruno Mars would make two Bruno Marses.

The _________ (plural of Marshall) are renting the __________ (plural possessive of Schultz) house.

Marshall's, Schultz's

Marshalls, Schultzes

Marshalls, Schultzes'

Marshall's, Schultzes'

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Make Marshall plural by adding an s, just as you would with a singular common noun. For the plural possessive of Schultz, first make it plural by adding es, just as you would with a singular common noun ending in a sibilant. Then, for the possessive, add the apostrophe at the end, just as you would with any regular plural noun.

That’s correct! Here’s why: