Sign's With punctuation Error's

[Mad Doug Biker]

Surely the apostrophe indicates possession, i.e. it is her baby?

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Surely the apostrophe indicates possession, i.e. it is her baby?

Yes, it does, but according to traditional English grammar, the final 's' should be left out, i.e. "Bridget Jones' baby". Just another one of those rules which no doubt makes learning English for non-English speakers a real pain.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Yes, it does, but according to traditional English grammar, the final 's' should be left out, i.e. "Bridget Jones' baby". Just another one of those rules which no doubt makes learning English for non-English speakers a real pain.

Of course, sorry.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I must admit that I notice misplaced apostrophes, but ironically, I don't mind if there are none, and am less likely to notice them missing, don't ask me why.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I think I'd be a lot happier if I never noticed missing, redundant or misplaced apostrophes, because there are far too many of them around to cause me aggravation. Ignorance is bliss.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I think I'd be a lot happier if I never noticed missing, redundant or misplaced apostrophes, because there are far too many of them around to cause me aggravation. Ignorance is bliss.

If we were just to get rid of them then it would make life a LOT easier.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

That and a ban on the use of such nobberish words like 'Iconic', 'Innovative' and 'Unique'.

Also the prefix 'just' that has suddenly appeared in front of almost any age these days, and stupid phrases like 'a near miss'. It was 'a near hit', dumb dumb!!

 

[robjh]

Yes, it does, but according to traditional English grammar, the final 's' should be left out, i.e. "Bridget Jones' baby". Just another one of those rules which no doubt makes learning English for non-English speakers a real pain.

Probably easier for foreigners who learn all these rules as new, than for most native speakers who have to unlearn part of their natural usage when learning the conventions of formal written English. In most varieties of English, people will say ' Jones's ' (pronounced Jonesis) rather than ' Jones' ' in a case like this.
Happily this convention seems to be weakening, and the --s's spelling is becoming more widespread in formal writing.
For example, a very quick google on another proper name ending in -s gave this

 

[nickyboy]

Yes, it does, but according to traditional English grammar, the final 's' should be left out, i.e. "Bridget Jones' baby". Just another one of those rules which no doubt makes learning English for non-English speakers a real pain.

I've mellowed as I've got older and realised that "rules" are not rules, merely guidance. There is no logic in having a word spelled "Jones'" and pronounced "Joneses". All the other apostrophe stuff I'm onboard with, but this one I'm not

 

[Profpointy]

Dos & don'ts?

'Strictly' correct, certainly, but people almost always use:

Do's & don'ts

...and with good reason. Nothing missing, no possession...it just reads more easily. That works for me.

I though pluralised words did merit an apostrophe (for some reason).

It's capitalisation you've got to watch. Spot the difference

"I helped my Uncle Jack off his horse"
"I helped my Unlce jack off his horse"

 

[DaveReading]

Surely the apostrophe indicates possession, i.e. it is her baby?

And if it isn't, who's is it?

 

[Ian H]

Yes, it does, but according to traditional English grammar, the final 's' should be left out, i.e. "Bridget Jones' baby". Just another one of those rules which no doubt makes learning English for non-English speakers a real pain.

Not a rule, merely convention, and differently applied according to circumstances – mostly just what sounds right. I suspect American English might differ anyway.

 

[swee'pea99]

Is this poster wrong?

Shaun

No. The all-but-definitive Economist Style Guide says:

Use the normal possessive ending 's after singular words or names that end in s: boss's, caucus's, Delors's, St James's, Jones's, Shanks's.

 

[Poacher]

Spot the difference

"I helped my Uncle Jack off his horse"
"I helped my Unlce jack off his horse"

Do I win?

 

[MontyVeda]

I though pluralised words did merit an apostrophe (for some reason).

...

surely in that case, you mean pluralised word's