The apostrophe is not a large mark of punctuation, but it is a significant one, and so many people, some of them highly intelligent, can not, will not, or do not use it correctly.
I have one friend who just does not use apostrophes so he never has to worry about misusing them. I'd rather (or I would rather) that happen than the opposite: people salting and peppering their writing with unnecessary, unwanted, and confusing apostrophes.
it's always means "it is." its always means "belonging to it."
who's means "who is." whose means "belonging to who."
etc.
The only situation in which an apostrophe is used to make something plural (indicate more than one) is when the thing being made plural is not a word. Example: He received two B's on his report card.
boys = more than one boy
boy's = belonging to one boy
boys' = belonging to more than one boy
Scott Jones - Scott Jones' book or Scott Jones's book
the house belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Jones = the Joneses' house
Yeah, okay, call me a nitpicker and an elitist because I think the incorrect use of this part of the language says something about the user. Just remember that when the wrong form of a word is used, the meaning can change to something NOT meant or intended.
*sigh*
About Me
- Lil
- I'm a native New Englander, a risk taker, a loyal friend, a Baby Boomer with the attitude of Peter Pan. I appreciate the unconventional, but I'm also sentimental. Life's a trip, the way I see it, so I'm going to enjoy the ride!
3 comments:
You can always count on my to chime in, can't you? :)
http://www.angryflower.com/bobsqu.gif
OH yes, yes I can count on you, J-man.
Yay! Thanks for the reminder. I'm as happy as Bob is angry. :)
The page is old. Think the t-shirts are still available?
I think I am going to print that example laminate it and keep it in my wallet, because I can never keep them straight..
:-)
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