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[IBC] ****The apostrophe
Folks, I've shuddered and TRIED to bear it, but I can't any
longer. THE PLURAL IS NOT -- HARDLY EVER (see below) -- INDICATED BY AN APOSTROPHE! It is Serissas, NOT serissa's. It is web sites, not web site's. It is bicycles, not bicycle's. It is bonsai not bonsai's (bonsai is both singular and plural). I don't know who started this style of spelling on the internet (you seldom see it anywhere else - tho it is on at least one billboard in Tallahassee!), but if I ever find him (or her) he/she is toast! Apostrophes (note: no apostrophe) are used to: 1. Indicate the possessive: Jim's bonsai. Bush's idiocy. 2. Show that a word is a contraction -- I won't take it any longer. I can't! They are NOT used to indicate the plural (which means, more than one of something). The ONLY time apostrophes (note: no apostrophe) MAY be used in a plural is in plurals of NUMBERS: 1's, 2's 3's etc., and Plurals of acronyms and initials: as in PC's (though, many folks (Yours truly included) eschew this use and just say PCs) (and [less often] 1s 2s and 3s, for that matter). But anyway, please have mercy on this simple soul. Forget the apostrophe as an indicator of plurals (NOT plural's)! I'll sleep better, un-invaded by dreams of armies of apostrophes being put into forced labor for things they're not supposed to be doing. For the grammar and punctuation challenged among us, I can highly recommend "Woe is I" by Patricia T. O'Connor (another legitimate use for the apostrophe), Grossett/Putnam Publishers, 1996. It's fun to read -- and very educational. For those who merely want to learn punctuation, I can recommend even MORE highly: "The New Well-Tempered Sentence, a Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Damned" by Karen Elizabeth Gordon, who, in addition to being a good writer, is a beautiful lady. It is published by Ticknor & Fields. 1993. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - "People, when Columbus discovered this country, it was plum full of nuts and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just about all gone." -- Uncle Dave Macon, old-time musician ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
#2
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[IBC] ****The apostrophe
Jim Lewis wrote:
Folks, I've shuddered and TRIED to bear it, but I can't any longer. THE PLURAL IS NOT -- HARDLY EVER (see below) -- INDICATED BY AN APOSTROPHE! It is Serissas, NOT serissa's. It is web sites, not web site's. It is bicycles, not bicycle's. It is bonsai not bonsai's (bonsai is both singular and plural). I don't know who started this style of spelling on the internet (you seldom see it anywhere else - tho it is on at least one billboard in Tallahassee!), but if I ever find him (or her) he/she is toast! It's generally heard this referred to as the `greengrocer's apostrophe', in reference to signs advertising `potato's', `green bean's', and the like. It's at least a pre-net thing... I'm sure you could learn more than you ever wanted to know in the archives of alt.usage.english. Also, one thing to add here--the singular of species is species. The plural of species is species. `Specie' is not a word... Patrick Alexander |
#3
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[IBC] ****The apostrophe
"Folks, I've shuddered and TRIED to bear it, but I can't any
longer. THE PLURAL IS NOT -- HARDLY EVER (see below) -- INDICATED BY AN APOSTROPHE! It is Serissas, NOT serissa's. It is web sites, not web site's. It is bicycles, not bicycle's. It is bonsai not bonsai's (bonsai is both singular and plural). I don't know who started this style of spelling on the internet (you seldom see it anywhere else - tho it is on at least one billboard in Tallahassee!), but if I ever find him (or her) he/she is toast!" ......And it is though, or although, not tho. hee hee J/K This has bothered me for a long time as well. I usually read a bit to decide if they had a special on apostrophes, like use two, the third is free, or something like that. If the writer come off seeming dumb I generally don't read them any more. If it is some weird glitch in their typing process I often overlook it, but it still is bothersome. I thank you so much for pointing out this odd use of the apostrophe, and pointing it out so well. Olde Hippie -- to reply direct remove number from addy "Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts will" "I prefer to perambulate to the tempo of a different percussionist" "Stupidity is believing much, while understanding little" ....Charles A. Meyers |
#4
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[IBC] ****The apostrophe
In terms of organisims you are correct. However, "Specie" is
the term for the currency we spend. Well, ONLY if it is a coin. Paper money isn't specie. ;-) And in an older meaning, specie had to be a gold coin. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry David Thoreau - Walden ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
#5
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[IBC] ****The apostrophe
"Well, "though" has had its alternative spelling of "tho" since
way back in the 15th century (and the OED hints that it may go back to the 11th Century). And it's a heckuva lot more sensible way to spell it. ;-) " I think it may precede the 15th century but not by a lot. Methinks it became more common during some of the Renaissance and Shakespeare writing eras. I've always been a fan of words, spoken or written. I also like the sillyness of some such as Gallagher's comments on "bomb" "tomb" and "comb". Bill -- to reply direct remove number from addy "Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts will" "I prefer to perambulate to the tempo of a different percussionist" "Stupidity is believing much, while understanding little" ....Charles A. Meyers |
#6
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[IBC] ****The apostrophe
Well folks
I'm new to this list and have few credentials to qualify me as an expert in any field. However, I do have opinions and here is one. The education system in the U.S. is in rapid decline. Young people are being taught to express their ideas regardless of the grammer and puntuation. This has led to the decline in the proper use of the mother tongue. The misues of their, there, they're; the misues of to, too, two; total lack of punctuation; these are all annoyances. But isn't this forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge? Please don't scare off people who may have a unique answer to a particualr problem I might have. I would rather have someone write: "My neighbor's keep there trees in a 50-gallon drum filled with gasoline to. Them trees is green as grass" Than have them not express this interesting solution to fungus gnats. Oh, you also might notice in future emails and postings that I don't use captalization. This is a carryover from the old newspaper reporter's habit when sending internal memos. It created too many keystrokes on those old manual Royals. I blame it on them. Art Krummel |
#8
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[IBC] ****The apostrophe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lewis" Subject: [IBC] ****The apostrophe Folks, I've shuddered and TRIED to bear it, but I can't any longer. Thank you Sgt. Stadanko.......!! Have we been ignorant students? I really needed a lesson on this today. Now I have another thread to delete for two days along with all the spam! This thread will degenerate into two-word posts by tomorrow night. Dale ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
#9
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[IBC] ****The apostrophe
I agree, but Eubonics is politically correct and if you go up against the PC
crowd you are labelled insensitive. What I do is read everything my son writes and make him correct any errors in grammar and remove any slang words I find. My english isn't the best but I do the best job I can. He hates me for it, but in the end it will be to his benefit. --I crucified my hate and held the world within my hands-- Neal Ross-Marysville CA ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
#10
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[IBC] ****The apostrophe
IT is like Spaghetti .. "I" ending is already plural the singular is
SpaghettO no S the same with Gnocchi (pl) 1 gnocco singular, Fetuccina /pl: e and Serissa at plural ( many plants of serissa should be SerissE! But the world goes like this Theo Patrick Alexander wrote: Jim Lewis wrote: Folks, I've shuddered and TRIED to bear it, but I can't any longer. THE PLURAL IS NOT -- HARDLY EVER (see below) -- INDICATED BY AN APOSTROPHE! It is Serissas, NOT serissa's. It is web sites, not web site's. It is bicycles, not bicycle's. It is bonsai not bonsai's (bonsai is both singular and plural). I don't know who started this style of spelling on the internet (you seldom see it anywhere else - tho it is on at least one billboard in Tallahassee!), but if I ever find him (or her) he/she is toast! It's generally heard this referred to as the `greengrocer's apostrophe', in reference to signs advertising `potato's', `green bean's', and the like. It's at least a pre-net thing... I'm sure you could learn more than you ever wanted to know in the archives of alt.usage.english. Also, one thing to add here--the singular of species is species. The plural of species is species. `Specie' is not a word... Patrick Alexander |
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