Errant Apostrophes - don't you hate that?
There are too many apostrophes out there... seems we must use them!
It started when a work colleague decided that my surname should be D'acre (when asked he said - "frogs have apostrophes... you're a frog"). Well I haven't been french since the Norman invasion (1066) so how long should an apostrophe last?
There are occasions where an apostrophe is OK to use, I have used some already.
- When two words are contracted into one; don't, can't, you're. These are OK, as long as you don't use them in academic writing, sometimes it sounds silly without them, do not you hate that.
- When indicating possesion; Tracy's fiance (sometimes that is shortened to 'Praj')
When it is not OK to use an apostrophe
- Plurals; apple's for sale, oversea's holiday
- Its...
It's - It is a special case
- Only use when contracting (that's right, working as a lone ranger or for a consulting company...) or when you are shortening "it is".
- Do not use for possesion or plurals. "The dog ate its bone" is correct, unless the bone was on the table as part of a leg of lamb, in which case it is still correct, but you have a naughty dog.
Plenty of people have written more on this subject so if you are interested have a look at the Apostrophe Protection Society or the Humble Apostrophe - a very important little squiggle
The Test - win a prize!
1. Is there an unintentional errant apostrophe in the above post?
2. Where is the errant apostrophe in the Super 14 rugby final players below?
- Lome Fa'atau, Ma'a Nonu, Rodney So'oialo, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Niva Ta'auso, Johnny Leo'o, Mose Tuiali'i
Yes it is a trick question. Winners receive a free meal for one at the restaurant of our choice in Melbourne*.
*conditions apply
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Commenting on the half arsed things of the world, or just plain being half arsed...
2 comments:
This is one of my favourite subjects and mis-use of apostophes really gets my goat. I particularly hate "Fish and Chip's" signs. And mis-use of you're and your.
Your dead right. It's you're prerogative.
You know another one that gets me? Should of instead of should have, and I think the apostrophe is somewhat to blame for that because when you shorten should have to should've it sounds like should of which doesn't really make any sense.
What conditions apply? (Not that I know anything about rugby players but there's always google. And I couldn't find an errant apostrophe anyway.)
OK, well you have got the first part right, so you are halfway there. I was paranoid that in a post about errant apostrophes there would be one, so that question was a 'just in case'. It also would mean that people might actually read all of the post.
Conditions - well that is also a backup in case somebody decides they have won and we have to fly them from venezuela or something, and they try and sue our half arse off when we say no. The main condition is that we reserve the right to change any rules, real or perceived, at any stage.
Post a Comment