Blu-ray Forum - View Single Post - A Guide to Spelling and Punctuation (English 101)

Big Daddy · 01-24-2011, 09:12 PM

APOSTROPHE RULES

Rule 1: Use the apostrophe with contractions.

Don't: do not
Didn't: did not
You're: you are
They're (NEVER their, or there): they are
He's: he is
Isn't: Is not
We'll: We will
I'm: I am
He'll: he will
Who's: who is
Shouldn't: should not
Could've: could have (NOT "could of"!)
We'd: we had or we would
Rule 2: The apostrophe can be used to indicate possession. For singular possession, the apostrophe is placed before the "s".

The dog's ball
Peter's shoes
Mr. Smith's tie

However, when it comes to proper nouns that end in an "s" or a "z" sound, it is preferred, although not required, to have the second "s" added in possessive form.

Mr. Jones's car
Kansas's weather
Rule 3: In cases of plural possession, the apostrophe follows immediately after the "s ".

Two boys' cars
Two actresses' awards

Once again, be careful when dealing with plural possession and proper nouns, especially those ending in an "s" or a "z" sound. The difference is shown below.

The Smiths' house: The house where Mr. and Mrs. Smith live.
but
The Joneses' house: The house where Mr and Mrs Jones live.

Use an apostrophe before the "s" when the word is plural and possessive but its plural form is irregular.

The children's recess is about to start.
The women's voices were heard.
Rule 4: Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied. In this case, the apostrophe will not only indicate possession, but also the implied noun, which has been removed.

This was his father's, not his, book.
Used instead of saying "This was his father's book, not his book.
Rule 5: Apostrophes are not to be used for the plural of a proper noun.

We visited the Smiths while on holiday. (Not Smith's or Smiths')
The Joneses own a cat and a dog. (Not Jones' or Joneses')
Rule 6: With a singular compound noun, possession is shown by adding 's at the end of the word.

My mother-in-law's cat.

When confronted with a plural compound noun, first form the plural and then use the apostrophe.

My brothers-in-law's golf clubs.
Rule 7: When more than one person is being discussed, only use the apostrophe and s after the second name, if the people possess the same item.

Peter and Lucy's house is next door.
however
Peter's and Lucy's job applications were unsuccessful.
Rule 8: Never use an apostrophe with the possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose, etc., as these already indicate possession.

This book is his, not hers.
The car is theirs.
Yours faithfully
Rule 9: The plurals for capital letters and numbers which are used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes.

Alice learned her ABCs.
She spoke to two Ph.D.s
She went to two Ph.D.'s offices. (In this case it is a plural possessive - the offices of the two Ph.D.s).

Dates are always written as the 2000s and not the 2000's. Likewise, the century can be dropped (and replaced with an apostrophe), but are still written as the '80s or the mid-'90s and not as the '90's or the mid-'70's. The exception to the rule is where the meaning would become unclear if apostrophes were not used.

Ted couldn't distinguish between his 6's and 0's.
Remember to cross your T's and dot your I's.
Without the apostrophe, "I's" could be read as "Is" and the sentence loses its meaning.

Some Examples:

wrong: a friend of yours'
correct: a friend of yours

wrong: his' book
correct: his book
correct: one's book
correct: anybody's book

wrong: Who's dog is this?
correct: Whose dog is this?

wrong: The group made it's decision.
correct: The group made its decision.

wrong: She waited for three hours' to get her ticket.
correct: She waited for three hours to get her ticket.

REFERENCES

http://www.conservapedia.com/Apostrophe
http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/621/01/
http://www.tutorvista.com/answers/ap...-example/61713
http://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/apostrophe/
http://clccharter.org/donna/writersw...tion/apost.htm

01-24-2011, 09:12 PM	#2
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	APOSTROPHE RULES Rule 1: Use the apostrophe with contractions. Don't: do not Didn't: did not You're: you are They're (NEVER their, or there): they are He's: he is Isn't: Is not We'll: We will I'm: I am He'll: he will Who's: who is Shouldn't: should not Could've: could have (NOT "could of"!) We'd: we had or we would Rule 2: The apostrophe can be used to indicate possession. For singular possession, the apostrophe is placed before the "s". The dog's ball Peter's shoes Mr. Smith's tie However, when it comes to proper nouns that end in an "s" or a "z" sound, it is preferred, although not required, to have the second "s" added in possessive form. Mr. Jones's car Kansas's weather Rule 3: In cases of plural possession, the apostrophe follows immediately after the "s ". Two boys' cars Two actresses' awards Once again, be careful when dealing with plural possession and proper nouns, especially those ending in an "s" or a "z" sound. The difference is shown below. The Smiths' house: The house where Mr. and Mrs. Smith live. but The Joneses' house: The house where Mr and Mrs Jones live. Use an apostrophe before the "s" when the word is plural and possessive but its plural form is irregular. The children's recess is about to start. The women's voices were heard. Rule 4: Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied. In this case, the apostrophe will not only indicate possession, but also the implied noun, which has been removed. This was his father's, not his, book. Used instead of saying "This was his father's book, not his book. Rule 5: Apostrophes are not to be used for the plural of a proper noun. We visited the Smiths while on holiday. (Not Smith's or Smiths') The Joneses own a cat and a dog. (Not Jones' or Joneses') Rule 6: With a singular compound noun, possession is shown by adding 's at the end of the word. My mother-in-law's cat. When confronted with a plural compound noun, first form the plural and then use the apostrophe. My brothers-in-law's golf clubs. Rule 7: When more than one person is being discussed, only use the apostrophe and s after the second name, if the people possess the same item. Peter and Lucy's house is next door. however Peter's and Lucy's job applications were unsuccessful. Rule 8: Never use an apostrophe with the possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose, etc., as these already indicate possession. This book is his, not hers. The car is theirs. Yours faithfully Rule 9: The plurals for capital letters and numbers which are used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes. Alice learned her ABCs. She spoke to two Ph.D.s She went to two Ph.D.'s offices. (In this case it is a plural possessive - the offices of the two Ph.D.s). Dates are always written as the 2000s and not the 2000's. Likewise, the century can be dropped (and replaced with an apostrophe), but are still written as the '80s or the mid-'90s and not as the '90's or the mid-'70's. The exception to the rule is where the meaning would become unclear if apostrophes were not used. Ted couldn't distinguish between his 6's and 0's. Remember to cross your T's and dot your I's. Without the apostrophe, "I's" could be read as "Is" and the sentence loses its meaning. Some Examples: wrong: a friend of yours' correct: a friend of yours wrong: his' book correct: his book correct: one's book correct: anybody's book wrong: Who's dog is this? correct: Whose dog is this? wrong: The group made it's decision. correct: The group made its decision. wrong: She waited for three hours' to get her ticket. correct: She waited for three hours to get her ticket. REFERENCES http://www.conservapedia.com/Apostrophe http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/621/01/ http://www.tutorvista.com/answers/ap...-example/61713 http://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/apostrophe/ http://clccharter.org/donna/writersw...tion/apost.htm Last edited by Big Daddy; 01-26-2011 at 12:10 AM.