Grammar Question.

[hammerman]

I'd like to get a plaque done for someone but just need some advice on the grammar.
It would be, for example, Jarvis Towers. Would I need an apostrophe after the s ie Jarvis' Towers as opposed to Jarvis's Towers?
Thanks

[Sparta]

What's his name?

[elliemay1]

You could put either but I prefer Jarvis' Towers

[dannyk13]

Jarvis Towers

[Old_Geezer]

I believe, if you are saying that Jarvis owns the towers, that one omits the second s and simply adds the apostrophe, so Javis's's's's's

[bhg481]

I would go with danny's suggestion. Donald Trump's buildings are named "Trump Towers", not "Trump's Towers" and the BBC broadcast from "Wogan House", not "Wogan's House".

[Old_Geezer]

But of course with the r that was typed but doesn't appear.

[elliemay1]

Yes, Jarvis Towers is best.
(I thought you meant that you wanted to include an apostrophe)

[vetuste_ennemi]

Can't remember where I read or heard it, but I was a kid at the time: the rule was apostrophe s if it's a one syllable name, otherwise apostrophe only, e.g. James's mother, but Francis' father.

[bhg481]

When I was a boy I went to St James's School. Nowadays the painted sign says "St James' School". Unfortunately when it was built they carved the name into the stonework, so there it remains to confuse the current crop of children. In my day you always added " 's " for the genetive case but I think someone decided it saved typists a shedload of time if they omitted the second "s".

[bhg481]

Let's throw the question back at you; if the plaque was for you, would you like "Hammerman Towers" or "Hammerman's Towers"?

[douglas9401]

I get the Trump and Wogan thing but where does that leave Hector?

[elliemay1]

//BBC Look North: St James' apostrophe debate >
It seems there is no definitive answer to the debate, as Dr Alan Firth, senior lecturer in applied linguistics at Newcastle University, told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We would say that the apostrophe needs to be there because it's the park of St James. But there's variability," he said.

"It's optional whether you have s apostrophe or s apostrophe s. You can choose either and both are correct."//

[fiction-factory]

As in Jarvis Cocker? I'm struggling to think of a situation in which you say Jarvis's or Jarvis' Tower. Can you clarify the reason why you feel an apostrophe might be
needed here please.

[fiction-factory]

How is it said? We have Trump Tower and an Eifel Tower and a Peel Tower and a Trafalgar Square but a Nelson's Column.

[Old_Geezer]

Difference between just being named after, and either ownership or in tribute to.

[ichkeria]

What is the wording of the plaque?
On the information available, if it’s about a place called “Jarvis Towers” then, unless you have a citation to the contrary, just stick to that I would.

[ToraToraTora]

this is an odd one, Danny is correct, although Jarvis may actually own the Towers "Jarvis Towers" is a title it's not stating possession. Eg Nelson Mandella House not Nelson Mandella's House.

[elliemay1]

Let us know what you decide, hammerman