Hi to all, Its BACK TO SCHOOL TIME--- Right? I thought these tips were good ones for those of you who write. You know I am a writer and always strive to follow the proper form... But typos and misusage is ever present no matter how much you write!!
Sparkles
Bee, or B., or Bea, or may-be. ;-0
The Apostrophe
Apostrophe misuse is one of the most common mistakes
made in English. Confusing "it's" and "its" is one of those typos we
all make and all miss even if we do know better.
Yet it is very simple to know and remember when and when not to use
an apostrophe.
made in English. Confusing "it's" and "its" is one of those typos we
all make and all miss even if we do know better.
Yet it is very simple to know and remember when and when not to use
an apostrophe.
1) The apostrophe is NOT used to make a plural. Do NOT add _'s_ to a
singular noun to make it a plural noun.
singular noun to make it a plural noun.
2) Use _'s_ to show something is owned. There are various rules about
creating possessive nouns, but the point we are making it that this
is a proper use of the apostrophe: to show something is "owned."
-- tess's class
-- the dog's claws
-- the boat's oars
What if we've already added a plain old "s" to make a noun a plural?
Place the apostrophe after rather than before the "s."
-- students' books
-- grocers' signs
-- wrens' songs
What about singular nouns that already have an "s" at the end? Well,
you will find some differences of opinion on that, but the trend is
to go ahead and add _'s_.
creating possessive nouns, but the point we are making it that this
is a proper use of the apostrophe: to show something is "owned."
-- tess's class
-- the dog's claws
-- the boat's oars
What if we've already added a plain old "s" to make a noun a plural?
Place the apostrophe after rather than before the "s."
-- students' books
-- grocers' signs
-- wrens' songs
What about singular nouns that already have an "s" at the end? Well,
you will find some differences of opinion on that, but the trend is
to go ahead and add _'s_.
Want to know the exceptions?
Most experts/styles exempt the _'s_ if pronunciation would be
awkward and use only the apostrophe, as with "for righteousness'
sake."
Don't add _'s_ to ancient proper names ending in -es and -is
[such as Achilles', Sophocles', Jesus']
awkward and use only the apostrophe, as with "for righteousness'
sake."
Don't add _'s_ to ancient proper names ending in -es and -is
[such as Achilles', Sophocles', Jesus']
3) The apostrophe is used to "stand in" for letters omitted in
contractions.
-- it is = it's ("Its," even though a possessive, does not have an
apostrophe. It's not that confusing. Just remember it's means ONLY
"it is" and nothing else.)
-- don't = do not
-- can't = cannot
-- weren't = were not
-- isn't = is not
-- rock 'n' roll = rock and roll
-- o'clock = of the clock
-- ne'er-do-well = never do well
That is, basically all you need to know. Yes, there are exceptions,
but you already know the most important one (_its_ is the possessive
form of _it_) and even a few more. Remember what you've learned and
you will be right the great majority of the time.
contractions.
-- it is = it's ("Its," even though a possessive, does not have an
apostrophe. It's not that confusing. Just remember it's means ONLY
"it is" and nothing else.)
-- don't = do not
-- can't = cannot
-- weren't = were not
-- isn't = is not
-- rock 'n' roll = rock and roll
-- o'clock = of the clock
-- ne'er-do-well = never do well
That is, basically all you need to know. Yes, there are exceptions,
but you already know the most important one (_its_ is the possessive
form of _it_) and even a few more. Remember what you've learned and
you will be right the great majority of the time.
Schools out!!
"You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book
will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children. "
-- Madeleine L'Engle (1918 - 2007)
will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children. "
-- Madeleine L'Engle (1918 - 2007)
Author Madeleine L'Engle died September 6, in Litchfield, Conn. She
was 88. L'Engle authored over 60 books for adults and children, which
often melded elements of science, religion and fantasy and have been
treasured by generations of readers. Her best-known work;
was 88. L'Engle authored over 60 books for adults and children, which
often melded elements of science, religion and fantasy and have been
treasured by generations of readers. Her best-known work;
'A Wrinkle in Time', won the 1963 Newbery Award.
