[identity profile] bluewolf458.livejournal.com
The apostrophe (') may be the simplest and yet most frequently misused mark of punctuation in English. It was introduced into English in the 16th century from Latin and Greek, in which it served to mark the loss of letters.
And as editor Tom McArthur notes in The Oxford Companion to the English Language, "There was never a golden age in which the rules for the use of the possessive apostrophe in English were clear-cut and known, understood, and followed by most educated people." Read more... )
[identity profile] green-grrl.livejournal.com
[livejournal.com profile] rotaryphones wants to know: Where does the apostrophe go in "children's book"?

This is covered obliquely in the Possessives and Sibilants post, but it's worth addressing directly for greater clarity. Our friends from Due South will help us determine the answer. )
skroberts: (SG-1 Grammar)
[personal profile] skroberts
...with examples from Stargate Atlantis and NCIS...

Question: Which is correct, "X's and Y's" or "X and Y's"?

Mind Your P's and Q's )
[identity profile] green-grrl.livejournal.com
What is the correct way to use a possessive when a person's name ends in "s"? Is the rule the same for making possessives for plurals? (with Stargate SG-1 examples)

Let's take these one at a time.

Possessive form of words ending with sibilants (s, ch, sh, z or x)

Possessives of a singular noun are always formed by added an apostrophe and s, even if the word ends in a sibilant sound.

Jack found Anubis's frumpy hood-and-cloak ensemble to be more laughable than threatening.

The Nox's homeworld was deceptively low-tech in appearance.

The SGC was hoping the harcesis's knowledge could bring down the goa'uld.

The imprisoned team was mightily relieved to hear Col. Reynolds's voice on their radios.

Please note that it is never "Col. Reynold's voice"—the s is an integral part of his name. [Hint: When in doubt, switch formats to "the voice of Col. Reynolds." However you see the name/noun written, add the possessive after that.]


Tricky bits ... )
[identity profile] amedia.livejournal.com
In response to [livejournal.com profile] zebra363, who asked about the use of possessives with gerunds.

With examples from the Temeraire series and an unknown fandom (I don't know who Ross, Geoff, and Tom are, but they sound pretty hot).

your clicking here will get you to the post )

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