Singularly Confused About Plural Problems

Plural people:

Plural people terrify us.  To make most people plural simply add s.

the Smiths

Names ending in s, sh,
ch, x or z:

Add es

Joneses
Charleses

Compound words:

To make compound words (with or without a hyphen) plural, make the key word plural.

mothers-in-law
attorneys general

Passionate about Possessives

Singular Words:

Always add ’s even if the word ends in s, z or x.

Degas’s paintings have so many ballerinas! (Degas’ paintings is no longer modern usage.) However, if the next word begins in s, use only the apostrophe, as in Degas’ sister.

Plural Words:

(1) add ’s if the word
does not end in s.

I’ll send those ballerinas to the men’s room.

(2) add an apostrophe without the s if the word already ends in s.

Shouldn’t you send them to the ladies’ room instead?

Except it and who:

It and who become its and whose.

Whose business is it anyway?  The men’s room is known for its beauty.