Forget Politics! What About Apostrophes!

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

The battle is over, bad grammar has won.

That was the message of retired journalist John Richards, who announced the end of his 18-year campaign to preserve the proper use of the apostrophe last month.

"We have done our best but the ignorance and laziness present in modern times has won," the 96-year-old wrote.

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Well, thats it! Were doom'ed.

Originally Posted by Lindaelaine

Do not use an apostrophe in nouns that are plural but not possessive, such as CDs, 1000s, or 1960s.

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That's the one that annoys me the most often. I seem to see a lot of "60's" or "90's" or "CD's" or the like.

[DISNEYNIC]

It's the ones with s that confuse me. Like "that's Thomas's pen" or is it "that's Thomas' pen" Who knows?

[EssexSue]

Originally Posted by DISNEYNIC

It's the ones with s that confuse me. Like "that's Thomas's pen" or is it "that's Thomas' pen" Who knows?

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First one. I love these.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by DISNEYNIC

It's the ones with s that confuse me. Like "that's Thomas's pen" or is it "that's Thomas' pen" Who knows?

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In your example, I believe both are acceptable although it seems Thomas's is the preferred option by many (primarily because it looks a bit like how it sounds - it sounds like "Thomases"). Personally I prefer Thomas' just because.

It's different if the word is a plural ending in s. So, for example, "my parents' wedding" is correct whereas "my parents's wedding" is incorrect.

[scooby99]

I work closely and on a daily basis with 4 editors; there is no way I'm getting away from the subject of apostrophes!

Or the matter of hyphens vs en rules!
Or should it be an ampersand or 'and'?
Should that be subscript or superscript?
Roman or Greek characters?

*sigh*

[Guest]

Originally Posted by ERICSMUM

Someone wrote a book about grammar a few years ago with a great title:

Eats shoots and leaves.
OR WAS IT:
Eats, shoots and leaves
OR WAS IT:
Eats shoots, and leaves

3 different meanings using one comma.

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I am a fan of an Oxford comma. My boss takes them out all the time!

So for me this would be

eats, shoots, and leaves.

For when the service has been truly terrible. (Not even a joke - think that is how it was described in his book!)

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by FamilyGWales

I am a fan of an Oxford comma. My boss takes them out all the time!

So for me this would be

eats, shoots, and leaves.

For when the service has been truly terrible. (Not even a joke - think that is how it was described in his book!)

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I assume you mean the middle one of ERICSMUM's list?

All three of the options listed are correct, but each one means something different. Therefore, you've got to be careful how you use commas.

"Eats shoots and leaves" is what a panda does; he consumes both the shoots and leaves of a plant.
"Eats, shoots and leaves" is what an armed gangster does if he doesn't want to pay for his meal.
"Eats shoots, and leaves" is what a panda in a rush might do.

[EssexSue]

Originally Posted by FamilyGWales

I am a fan of an Oxford comma. My boss takes them out all the time!

So for me this would be

eats, shoots, and leaves.

For when the service has been truly terrible. (Not even a joke - think that is how it was described in his book!)

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I hate the Oxford comma particularly when it's used in a list. I'm with your boss - sorry.

[WhereIBelong]

oooo - someone in publishing.

Can anyone tell me - with "he dotted the is and crossed the ts " is i's/t's acceptable - purely for clarity's sake?

My dad was a teacher and said there were arguments for apostrophes in a plural in that specific case.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by WhereIBelong

oooo - someone in publishing.

Can anyone tell me - with "he dotted the is and crossed the ts " is i's/t's acceptable - purely for clarity's sake?

My dad was a teacher and said there were arguments for apostrophes in a plural in that specific case.

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I know this wasn't aimed at me, but personally I'd write:

He dotted the "i"s and crossed the "t"s.

However, a quick google search shows that a lot of people do as you suggest and write: "he dotted the i's and crossed the t's".