What is the pronunciation of the possessive words that already end in s?

My name is Greg — this is Greg 's post.

If my name ended with an 's', I am aware of the proper apostrophe usage (James → James'), but how should this be pronounced?

Phonetically, am I Jameses best friend or James best friend?

Answer

James' [z] best friend

sounds better. If this is the right form, then according to this thread, [z] would apply:

In the suffix -(e)s, indicative of the plural of a noun, the possessive case of a noun, or the 3rd. person singular past tense of a verb, the -s is read:

• voiceless, [s], when it comes after a voiceless consonant...

  
  
  

  
  

  cats, tracks, boots, walks, etc.

  
  




• and voiced, [z], when it comes after a voiced consonant or a vowel.

  
  
  

  
  

  dogs, cars, skies, keys, days, etc.