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What is the plural of Jones? What is the possessive of Jones?
The Jones’, The Jones’s or The Joneses’?
If you didn’t already know, Jones is a popular surname found all over the world, especially in Wales.
The surname might confuse a lot of people when trying to form the plural and possessive because the name ends with the letter s.
If you are trying to write that holiday card, invitation or letter and don’t know whether to write Jones’, Jones’s or Joneses, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
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The Short Answer:
The apostrophe in Jones’ (or Jones’s– both are the same) is the singular possessive noun. The word Joneses is the plural of the name. Joneses’ is the plural possessive noun.
Sounds like gibberish? Let’s explain in greater detail.
Jones
This is the surname in its raw form, no bells or whistles here!
Tim Jones, Mary Jones, Sarah Jones…
Jones’ or Jones’s
This is used when something belongs to only one Jones.
According to the general rule, when a word ends in any letter, including the letter s, the apostrophe is placed after the s when forming the possessive (e.g., Chris’s).
For example: “This is Sarah Jones’s computer.”
Or: “That car over there is Tim Jones’s.
Or: “I love Mike Jones’s dog.”
You can use either apostrophe form as you wish; both denote possession by a single person. Just be consistent throughout your writing.
For example: “This is Sarah Jones’ computer.”
Or: “That car over there is Tim Jones’.”
Or: “I love Mike Jones’ dog.”
Check Your Style Guide
What style guide does your organization use?
Different authorities have different interpretations when it comes to how to create the possessive.
If your organization follows a particular style guide when writing, be sure to check that out to see which rule to follow.
For example, The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, spells it as Jones’s.
Joneses
Use this word when you are referring to more than one Jones.
For example: “The Joneses live next door.”
Or: “All the Joneses are going on vacation together.”
Or: “This holiday card is from the Joneses.”
Joneses’
This is used when you are referring to more than one Jones in the possessive form.
For example: “The Joneses’ house is for sale.”
Or: “The Joneses’ cat got out.”
Or: “The Joneses’ daughter is getting married.”
Still Confused?
If you don’t want to include an apostrophe or pluralize the surname, you can simply write “The Jones Family” instead.
Read our commonly asked questions for more!
How Do You Use Jones in a Sentence?
Here are a few example sentences using Jones:
- Tim Jones is my neighbor.
- I saw Sarah Jones at the grocery store.
- All the Joneses are going on vacation together.
- Where does the Jones family come from?
- The Jones family comes from Wales.
How Do You Pluralize a Name That Ends in S?
When pluralizing a name that ends in s, you can add “es” to the end of the word.
For example, the plural of Jones can be written as “Joneses.”
The same rule applies to other words that end in s, like Adams (Adamses) or Ross (Rosses).
What Does “Keeping up With the Joneses” Mean?
“Keeping up with the Joneses” is a phrase that means trying to match or exceed the accomplishments of your friends or neighbors.
It can also refer to trying to maintain the same level of material possessions as those around you.
For example, if your neighbor buys a new car, you might feel pressure to go out and buy one too.
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In Conclusion
The plural of Jones can be written as Joneses.
The apostrophe is used to show that it is a possessive noun. This is spelled as Jones’ or Jones’s (singular) and Joneses’ (plural).
However, if you are writing for an organization that follows a particular style guide, be sure to check that out to see which rule to follow.
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Useful Links
- Mens, Men’s or Mens’? Which is Correct?
- Everyone’s, Everyones’ or Everyones? Difference & Meaning
- Hardwork or Hard Work? Hardworking or Hard-working?
- Other’s or Others’? Clear Examples– Possessive Form
- Goodnight or Good Night? Grammatical Correctness Matters
- Highschool or High School? One Word or Two Word Spelling?
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.