There was a recent question on FB regarding the apostrophe in this construction: …It was 2013-’14. OR …It was 2013-14. I wanted to look it up to make sure but was running out the door at the time — and then promptly forgot about it. Here is a post from today by Mary Neel with the reference that cites the …
That Confusing “S”
The last post on the “s” engendered more than a few questions. Here are a couple of answers. In the construction, “…one of the girl’s/girls’ phones…” or “…one of the voter’s/voters’ choices…,” the form should be plural possessive. …We were talking with one of the girls’ friends at the time. …It has to deal with one of his friends’ mothers. …
That Confusing “S”
When a proper name ends in “s” and we have to make it plural or possessive, it seems it is always a bit jarring. There are several things to keep in mind: First, when a surname has the word “the” in front of it, it is always plural. …I saw the Cohens when I visited D.C. …The Johnsons joined us …
An Extra Wrinkle to the Apostrophe Question
…I went to the Nelson house. OR …I went to the Nelsons’ house. Each of these is correct to say in English. Obviously, the second one has to deal with the possessive whereas the first one does not. Remember that, when a surname has the word “the” in front of it, it is always plural. It is the names that …
We Are the Only Ones Who…
…are listening to the WAY something is said. When “2-0-4” is said as the year, everyone but the reporter hears “2004.” Though we certainly want to be verbatim, this is a time that trying to use an apostrophe or a hyphen just makes no sense. Put “2004” and get on with life. 🙂 Happy punctuating! Margie
Those Darn Hyphens
If a noun is listed as separate words, then it stays separate words — and is not hyphenated — as a direct (right in front of the noun) adjective. …He is in real estate. …He is a real estate broker. …He is in high school. …He is a high school senior. This gets a little crazy since it means that …
More Errors in the News on the Internet…
Reading news on the Internet certainly gives me lots of chance to share with all of you. You get to work on your proofreading skills three time in one week and twice today! …Of the parent’s plan for their children, the source said, “They want to fill their children’s lives with as much love as possible… …oil worker – now …
Proper Nouns Used as Verbs
Generally speaking, a proper noun which is being used as a verb adds the endings with an apostrophe. …We FedEx’d it on Friday. …He FedEx’s all his packages. …We will be FedEx’ing it tomorrow. Happy punctuating! Margie
Singular Possessives…Again
There seem to be so many variations in the way everyone wants to do the singular possessive: apostrophe alone sometimes, apostrophe s sometimes. Does the word end in s? How is it pronounced? The rule is so simple: Add apostrophe s to the singular form of the word for the singular possessive — no struggles, no mess, no consternation, no …
Apostrophe or Hyphen
When there is a quantity, measurement, distance, value, amount that is expressed as a direct adjective (right in front of a noun) AND there is an “s” on the adjective, use an apostrophe “s” when it is singular and an “s” apostrophe when it is plural. …one minute’s delay …five minutes’ delay …one week’s vacation …two weeks’ vacation When there …