Who does'nt understand their apostrophe's?

[Rhythm Thief]

 

[bonj2]

In contractions, the apostrophe indicates a missing letter(s) e.g. can't, doesn't, isn't, wasn't, etc.

The first one is correct, the second - are 'the Geoffs' a family? If Mr Geoffs and Mrs Geoffs both have a car then it is correct. If you are referring to Geoff (singular) and multiple cars then it would be 'the Geoff's cars'.

er... no, because if there was one bloke called Geoff you'd just refer to him as "Geoff", you wouldn't refer to him as "THE Geoff".

In modern usage, you do not need to use apostrophes with numbers - the 1900s, the 60s or with things like CDs.

A lof of people think you do. As in, people who normally get all other usages of apostrophe correct. Especially with TLAs, you always get them used with them... Is it ok to? I would have said not, but am open to other interpretations...

 

[surfgurl]

The apostrophe to denote a missing letter was once explained to me as a gravestone in memory of the missing letter/s. I think that's quite a nice way to explain it.
I used to have a lot of trouble with to/too, but I think I have that one cracked now.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

CD is an acronym, which does not require an apostrophe. it is more correct to refer to the '80s (the apostrophe indicating the missing 19) than the 80s, and certainly not the 80's.

 

[yoyo]

I understand apostrophes but I am foreign too; spelling, grammar and punctuation were paramount in English. Why are there two deliberate mistakes in the title of this thread?

 

[betty swollocks]

Why are there two deliberate mistakes in the title of this thread?

Simple really: a) to highlight two of the most common errors people make and because I felt like it

 

[Abitrary]

posessive apostrophes. Never can remember.

That's Geoff's car
They're the Geoffs' cars

Is that right?

Think you can do the possessive ones how you like, like Jesus', Jesuses, Jesu's etc.

 

[Blue]

More rants about grammar! You folk should cycle more.

 

[Abitrary]

Kate Mosses, Moss's, Mos'ses, Mosss

 

[mr_hippo]

er... no, because if there was one bloke called Geoff you'd just refer to him as "Geoff", you wouldn't refer to him as "THE Geoff".
My mistake for not proof reading
A lof of people think you do. As in, people who normally get all other usages of apostrophe correct. Especially with TLAs, you always get them used with them... Is it ok to? I would have said not, but am open to other interpretations...Although not correct, I think that it would be OK to use it.

Think you can do the possessive ones how you like, like Jesus', Jesuses, Jesu's etc.

Kate Mosses, Moss's, Mos'ses, Mosss

Sorry but no you can't!
Jesu's - used in hymns - poetic licence
Jesus' - correct
Jesuses - more than one Jesus; same with Mosses - 'The Mosses have finally moved', 'The Mosses were killed in an explosion' (A family called Moss). Could also be used when talking about different types of moss (the plant).
Mosses - her name is Moss!
Moss's - correct but old fashioned, drop the final 's' - Moss'
Mos'ses - why have you put the apostrophe in the name?
Mosss - If I saw that I would immediately say 'typo!'

 

[Yellow Fang]

Apostrophes are relatively easy. It's the correct use of commas that's a problem.

My biggest problem with apostrophes is that I would like to put one in certain plurals because otherwise it makes it look different to how you would pronounce it. For example, pizzas or logos. The plural of logo is logos. Why isn't it logoes? I read someone suggest we use ~ in place of an apostrophe for cases like this.

 

[rob_mcp]

I agree Fang - but any consideration of commas, semicolons, etc. - except where a list is being given - can be overcome by outrageous over use of the hyphen.

 

[Arch]

I like it when I see a sign in a shop or even a sign written van or something and it says something like "Window's and Doors". Like they couldn't decide which was right, so use both...

 

[alecstilleyedye]

grafitti seen on a wall:

"nigger's out"

under which was written (by another)

"what time's he back?"

classic, especially as it makes the idiot who did the original graffito look even more ignorant (if that's possible).

 

[rob_mcp]

Today in town

You'd think Carphone warehouse would know better