Last night I was told of a memorial plaque that had been put up. Johns copse was the label. Should it be a possessive s she posed? I remained silent. I went to a grammar school. The only grammar, of the English kind, that I was taught was phrasal analysis, by a sadist who liked to beat knowledge into us. I learned some German, but using 'modern' methods, i.e. no grammar. Result? My grammar is weak, to put it politely. I write frequently and sometimes too much. I enjoy writing. I just love emacs as a tool. I know I have my spelling weaknesses. I couldn't list them, but each time I write some words they jump up and laugh at me. Only some words thankfully. Two books I have never regretted buying. Roberts Rules and Fowlers English Usage (2 edn). I can 'graze' on them for hours without losing interest. Anyway, back to John[']s copse. The copse of John? Well. I dug out Fowler and a notebook. Nope, no index, this is a reference book… OK. Page 467 has 'possessive puzzles', quoting

1. Septimus's, Achilles' 2. Whose, of which 3. Mr smith (now Lord London)'s 4. 'The Times''s opinion. 5. Somebody's else. 6. Five years' imprisonment. 7. the non-possessive's.

Wow. What a list. I just chuckled at #4. the times is in single quotes? Anyway. There is another full column detailing each of these cases, a couple more cross references and to be frank, not a lot of reasoning. Fowler is just right. OK! Be told! That sort of approach. Here I wanted to learn. Off we go to GIYF.

englishclub.com had me highly suspicious. Again no rationale, especially with Jesus' father. sussex.ac.uk is better, with simple rules. Note

a plural noun which already ends in s takes only a following apostrophe: the girls' excitement my parents' wedding both players' injuries

Nice and clear. I also like

a name ending in s takes only an apostrophe if the possessive form is not pronounced with an extra s. Hence: Socrates' philosophy Saint Saens' music Ulysses' companions Aristophanes' plays

Again, clear. Except … 'pronounced with an extra s'???

writingresource is clear, but suspect for English English, if you see what I mean. Note the clarity of explanation?

This is the one I like.

1. If the possessive noun is singular, always add an apostrophe + s. 2. If the possessive noun does not end in -s (in its written form), always add an apostrophe + s. 3. If the possessive noun is plural and ends in -s (and this is a characteristic feature of the large majority of plural nouns), just add an apostrophe.

I can apply that. Even includes the plurals ending in a sibilant. For mercy's sake, but for conscience sake. Oh for goodness sake to end it all

Sigh. I now am curious how much of this will stick in my brain.