In the formation of the genitive, a case of grammar, the suffix -s or -es is appended to nouns whose gender (gender) is male or neutral. These endings are called genitive-S. However, mistakes are often made in the correct formation. This is due in particular to the fact that in some cases it is regulated whether -s or -es is appended, but in certain words both spellings are possible. Below is an explanation.
Attributes: Apostrophe and Genitiv-S
The genitive is used in German to indicate the affiliation, origin, or participation, and also stands for certain verbs and prepositions. Difficulties are the genitive S but especially with regard to proper names, whereby very often erroneous apostrophes.
If a sentence indicates that something belongs to a person or thing, the simple form of the genitive S is chosen in almost all cases. This means that only the -s suffix is appended to the proper names. An apostrophe is only used in some exceptional cases.
To whom does the car belong? This is Heike’s car.
In the above example, the genitive S is hanged at the first name Heike. It follows directly on the name and is used in the simple form, thus not -es. However, an apostrophy is necessary if the respective name ends with a sibilant (-s, -ss, -ß, -tz, -x, -z). In this case no additional s is appended, but an apostrophe is set.
To whom does the car belong? This is Thomas’s car.
In the above example, the apostrophe indicates that something has been left out, which is basically the task of the apostrophe. However, there is an exception that allows the apostrophe between the genitive S and the last letter of the noun, namely, that without an apostrophe would not be clear how the owner actually means. The basic form is thus clarified. Let’s look at an example.
I buy plants in Andrea’s flower shop.
In the above example, the apostrophe shows that the owner is Andrea and it is Andreas who is running the flower shop (“Andreas Blumenladen”). Thus, the genitive S can be separated from a proper name by an apostrophe if it is to be shown how the actual basic form is. This applies, however, exclusively to person names!
Short overview: The most important thing about the Genitive-S at a glance
As the genitive S, the appended ending is denoted by nouns which are in the genitive. Here the suffixes -s as well as -es are common. For some words, only one variant is permissible, others refer to the optional use. In certain exceptional cases, however, also -n and -en are appended.
In the case of proper names, a s is usually attached. If, however, the name itself ends in a hiss, the s is omitted, which is indicated by an apostrophe. The setting of an apostrophe between genitive S and the proper name is only permissible if the basic form is to be clarified and only with person names.