Do We Need an Apostrophe?

Question

I am purchasing a name placard for the front of my son and daughter-in-law’s home and I’m having a disagreement with my daughter-in-law. The placard will say, “The Browns.” My daughter-in-law thinks there should be an apostrophe between the “n” and the “s” because it’s their home. I disagree. Who is correct?

Answer 1

Interesting question, Carol!

I can see the argument that an apostrophe is needed because the name is meant to indicate possession, but then it would need to be a plural possessive written The Browns', as opposed to The Brown's. Also, I think you would want to include Home or Residence after The Browns' to clarify the reason for the apostrophe. It's not technically necessary, I suppose, as we are accustomed to seeing possessive proper nouns this way (think brown bag in the staff room with Julie's written across it). But I think this approach would clunky in this case.

I lean toward the argument that an apostrophe is not needed and the name is meant to simply identify who lives in the home. Therefore if it were me I would want the plaque to read The Browns.

Answer 2

Hi, Carol.

"The Browns" without an apostrophe is probably more common, but you could also say " The Browns' " with an apostrophe at the end. However, there cannot be an apostrophe between the "n" and the "s", because that would refer to a single person named Brown and not to the several people named Brown. That's why "The Browns" without an apostrophe is more common. It refers to the name of the family meaning the Brown family lives here, whereas " The Browns' " is a possessive structure showing whose residence it it is. Because of that, it would be better to say "The Browns' Residence", if your daughter-in-law insists on an apostrophe.

Best regards,

Renata

Answer 3

Good Morning Carol

The first reply makes a lot of sense. "The Browns" without an apostrophe is suitable.

However, you can say " The Browns' " with an apostrophe at the end.

It would be incorrect to place an apostrophe between the "n" and the "s", because that would refer to a single person named Brown.