소유격의 어포스트로피 에스('s) 규칙에 대하여

원문 : Daily Writing Tips​

s로 끝나는 복수형 명사의 소유격에는 어포스트로피 에스('s) 대신 어포스트로피(')만 붙는다는 규칙은 잘 알려져 있습니다. 예를 들면 다음 경우들입니다.

the babies’ beds
the writers’ laptops
the witnesses’ testimony

하지만 뜻으로는 단수의 의미를 가진 명사가 s로 끝날 때에도 소유격에 어포스트로피(')만 붙이는 것은 이해가 되지 않는 경우가 많은 것 같습니다. 예를 들면 다음 경우들입니다.

mathematics’ rules
politics’ true meaning
Highland Hills’ late mayor
the United States’ role

위의 규칙을 잘 지키지 않는 경우를 인터넷에서 찾아 보면 다음 과 같습니다.

틀린 표현: The world beyond the ​United States’s borders can be conceptualized in any number of different ways. Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy, 2009.
맞는 표현: The world beyond the ​United States’ borders can be conceptualized in any number of different ways.

틀린 표현 : Some of them have had weddings on the powder-soft sands of the ​Bahamas’s beaches. Business site for wedding photographer.
맞는 표현 : Some of them have had weddings on the powder-soft sands of the ​Bahamas’ beaches.

틀린 표현 : The United States supports ​Belarus’s efforts to complete this commercial project as expeditiously as possible. US government site.
맞는 표현 : The United States supports ​Belarus’ efforts to complete this commercial project as expeditiously as possible.

틀린 표현 : ​Cyprus’s parliament rejected its ​​government’s bailout deal with the euro zone without a single vote in its favor. The Wall Street Journal.
맞는 표현 : ​Cyprus’ parliament rejected its ​​government’s bailout deal with the euro zone without a single vote in its favor.

틀린 표현 : It turns out that much of General ​Motors’s profits were derived from the sale of such parts through its Delphi division. Environmental blog about electric car.
맞는 표현 : It turns out that much of General ​Motors’ profits were derived from the sale of such parts through its Delphi division.