The term Roberts’s is the more common way to form the singular possessive of Roberts. For example, “Roberts’s office is on the top floor.” However, the word Roberts’ without an additional “s” at the end is also correct, and it is a matter of preference which you use. For instance, “Roberts’ proposal was accepted.”
The following table shows the singular forms of the name Roberts.
| Singular | Roberts |
| Singular possessive | Roberts’ / Roberts’s |
As you can see, you can form the singular possessive in two ways because the word Roberts ends with an “s.”
According to Google Ngram, the more common possessive form is Roberts’s. This is also the form you should follow for APA Style and Chicago Manual of Style.
Alternatively, you can use the less popular version, which is Roberts’. You should use this version with no additional “s” if you follow AP Style.
Considering the above rules, both of the following sentences are correct:
- Roberts’s presentation was impressive.
- Roberts’ insights were valuable.
However, if you start using one version in a text, you should continue with that version until the end.
Perhaps you still have doubts about the different forms of the name Roberts. If so, please continue reading the rest of the page to avoid making mistakes in the future.
Roberts’s
The term Roberts’s is the more popular singular possessive version of the name Roberts. Therefore, you use it to indicate that something belongs to a person named Roberts.
Furthermore, style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style and APA Style suggest that you should use this singular possessive form with the additional “s.”
- Roberts’s dedication to his work is well-known.
Sometimes people avoid adding the “s” at the end when the word after it begins with “s.” However, this is just a preference, and the other version is still acceptable.
- Correct: Roberts’ strategy was innovative.
- Correct: Roberts’s strategy was innovative.
Although, whichever version you choose to use, you must be consistent and use the same version throughout the text.
Roberts’
The term Roberts’ with an apostrophe and no additional “s” is a singular possessive form of the name Roberts.
However, it has never been as popular as Roberts’s with an “s,” although Roberts’ is the correct version if you use AP Style.
- Roberts’ team worked late into the night.
However, although Roberts’s is more common, Roberts’ is clearer because if the following word starts with an “s,” then you avoid having three instances of the letter “s” in a row.
- Roberts’ solution was elegant and efficient.
Also, if you choose to use the version without the second “s,” you should use that version throughout the document, regardless of whether the following word starts with “s.”
