It might be because youre so used to not using the apostrophe. With over 200,000 copies sold, this is one of the most highly trusted english language resources available. Children is a plural noun but it doesnt end with an s so you need to add an apostrophe and s to show that the toys belong to the children. Concepts are described in clear and simple phrases, and backed up with examples one would find in everyday language. Plurals, possessives, and apostrophes janes grammar nugget. Using an unnecessary apostrophe to form the plural of a noun is a very common mistake. The ad says youve never seen bodys like this before bodys with an apostrophe to make it plural.
Aug 08, 20 the ad says youve never seen bodys like this before bodys with an apostrophe to make it plural. The possessive form is used with nouns referring to people, groups of people, countries, and animals. Apostrophes the blue book of grammar and punctuation. To be consistent within a sentence, you would also use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of 6s. A couple of weeks ago, victorias secret released a new ad for a line of underwear with the brand name body.
More information on apostrophes with names can be found in our post apostrophes with names ending in s, ch, or z. You need to use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of zero or it will look like the word os. The apostrophe with numbers, letters, and abbreviations. Dont miss out on next months installment of our grammar blog. With plural nouns ending in s, add an apostrophe after the s. For plural, proper nouns that are possessive, use an apostrophe after the s. The rules for using an apostrophe to show plural forms are. Check your results by clicking on submit worksheet subject explanations. For clarity, most writers use apostrophes with single capital letters and singledigit numbers. With plural nouns not ending in s, add an apostrophe and s. Most english speakers know that the usual way to make a noun plural is to add s to the singular. For example, if alison owns a blue car, then it is alisons car.
The blue book of grammar and punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. If a name ends in ch, sh, s, x, z, an es gets added to form the plural most of the time. Use an apostrophe to indicate possession with nouns a noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. It shows contractions, where something is left out. Most newspapers and magazines drop theoxford comma in a simple.
The apostrophe recognize an apostrophe when you see one. The most common use of apostrophes in english is for contractions, where a noun or pronoun and a verb combine. Jane straus, late author of the blue book of grammar and punctuation, has helped thousands of readers make sense of grammar. Do use the apostrophe to form the plural of lowercase. With a singular noun you simply add an apostrophe plus the letter s to. The blue book of grammar and punctuation will amuse you while demystifying the rules of grammar and punctuation. Jan 01, 1997 the blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests.
Style guide, and the american heritage book of english usage. Its a refresher for experts, a reference for lay people, and a lesson plan for teachers. They are also aware that the plural of few nouns, like child and ox, is formed with the quaint ending en. Like most things, exceptions are possible, like when an end sound turns more toward a z than an s. Examples and explanations stolen from the blue book of grammar, because im lazy. If you leave out the periods, you can write mas but youd still have to write phds. The problem nearly always seems to stem from not understanding that the apostrophe has two very different and very important uses in english. Esl vocabulary and grammar apps for mobile and tablets learn on the go. I understood that making text entities with nonletter characters into a plural form, you separate the s from the term with an apostrophe 1900s, jones, smiths, or bang. Grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and. The apostrophe probably causes more grief than all of the other punctuation marks put together. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition pages. For each of the following, choose the correct sentence.
Written without jargon for all of us who need simple answers to our everyday questions, this new, updated version has 50% more materialrules, exercises, tests, and answersand a new cover that is both sleek and durable. The blue book grammar and punctuation pdf download in its 11th version right now, the blue book of punctuation and sentence structure will assist you create and talk with disadvantage. Now in its tenth edition, the blue book is a masterpiece of clarity and usefulness. The apostrophe will dangle off the edge of the plural noun, after the s, to try and avoid confusion with the singular version. It doesnt take a lifetime to master english grammar and punctuation. Smithfield middle schools serves 7th8th grade students and is part of isle of wight county schools. It is placed where the missing letter would be in that case. You can show possession the long way or the short way. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, eleventh edition. If the noun is plural, the apostrophe usually goes after the s. Decide whether the apostrophe s is possessive s or it stands for hasis.
A singular noun forms the possessive possessives show whose something is. The plurals for capital letters and numbers above nine do not require apostrophes, but some use them anyway. This userfriendly resource includes simple explanations of grammar, punctuation, and usage. Follow these simple english grammar rules for possessive plurals to show ownership correctly. Once the s became established as the possessive ending of a singular noun, it was inevitable that the apostrophe would also be used in the formation of plural possessives. Regular nouns are nouns that form their plurals by adding either the letter s or es guy, guys. If the noun is singular, the apostrophe goes before the s. Apostrophes with names ending in y grammar and punctuation.
To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. The smiths marriage seems to have weathered the storm of infertility. Apostrophe english grammar today cambridge dictionary. This reader wants to know why we write 1980s and not 1980s. Every generation of english scholars despairs because the language appears to. Use an apostrophe and s to show the plural of a letter. May 31, 2010 possessive of plural it forms the possessive of a plural noun. This is done in the same way as the possessives for these two other country names in the same. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. People have been writing to me about it every day since, so today, well talk about the proper way to use an apostrophe to form a plural and how the writers at victorias secret could have solved their particular problem.
Ive been a technical writer for about 7 years, and jane straus the blue book of grammar and punctuation is the best reference ive found. Do use the apostrophe to form the plural of an abbreviation that combines upper and lowercase letters or has interior periods. As you can see, the meaning will change depending on the pronoun you choose. Although the apostrophe might look like a comma defying gravity, this mark of punctuation has three distinct jobs. Use an apostrophe and s to show the plural of a number. Adjectiveadverb grammar blue book adjective or adverb. Its extremely well organized, ensuring that readers can quickly locate a required topic. Nov 04, 2010 the punctuation mark is called apostrophe. Although many writers misuse the apostrophe in the plural possessive, the rule is quite simple, in both american and british usage. With very few exceptions, apostrophes do not make nouns plural.
Like most things, exceptions are possible, like when an. These names were mainly fixed in form many years before grammatical rules. Start studying the blue book of grammar and punctuation ch. If the noun is plural, or already ends in s, just add an apostrophe after the s. You dont have to be an english master to understand punctuation and sentence structure. Should you find that every deer in the woods behind your house has a. The blue book of grammar and punctuation succeeds at a rare feat. The apostrophe or character is a punctuation mark, and sometimes a diacritical mark. This is done in the same way as the possessives for these two other country names in the same grammatical situation. If there are more than one errors, separate corrected words with a space and a hyphen as in the examples. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. Jan 01, 2004 the blue book of grammar and punctuation will amuse you while demystifying the rules of grammar and punctuation. Possessive pronouns show ownership and never need apostrophes. The prescribed possessive form for countries with a plural form like the philippines adds only the apostrophe not apostrophes for the possessive.
Most newspapers and magazines drop theoxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling its unnecessary. Possessive of plural it forms the possessive of a plural noun. If you wish to respond to another readers question. People have been writing to me about it every day since, so today, well talk about the proper way to use an apostrophe to form a plural and how the writers at victoria.
The blue book of grammar and punctuation flashcards quizlet. To show plural possession, always make the noun plural first, then use the apostrophe. A revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide. The wangs business customers expectations the men s room use it before the s with an irregular plural. It shows a relationship of belonging between one thing and another. Oct 22, 2009 to show plural possession, always make the noun plural first, then use the apostrophe. Apostrophe english grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary. This handy workbook is ideal for teachers, students in middle school through college, esl students, homeschoolers, and professionals. If the plural form of the noun does not end in s, the apostrophe goes before the s. Public and unpublished materials bluebook citation for legal materials. There are two smiths in the marriage a husband and a wife, in this case, so this is a straightforward plural possessive. Apostrophes quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. All it takes is the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The apostrophe is used to show 1 possessives of nouns and some pronouns, 2 contractions, and 3 some plurals.
Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession. May 23, 2017 sometimes things get dicey when you have plural and possessive. Remember that the apostrophe is often replacing a letter that has been dropped. Of all the kings castles, the welsh kings fortress was the most impregnable. So an apostrophe followed by s was often used to mark a plural, especially when the. Jun 25, 2008 rule 2 of apostrophes from the blue book of grammar and punctuation says. Sometimes things get dicey when you have plural and possessive. The apostrophe in contractions the most common use of apostrophes in english is for contractions, where a noun. Apr 07, 2014 if the noun is singular, the apostrophe goes before the s. Is philippines plural and what is its possessive form.
When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in theabove example, it is known as the oxford comma. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition. Apostrophes punctuation rules blue book of grammar. Make smith plural by adding an s and then add the apostrophe to indicate the plural. The plural choice always without apostrophe, unless showing ownership or possession depends upon letter combinations. Sometimes, its called the grocers apostrophe because of how frequently it is spotted in grocery store advertisements 3 oranges for a dollar. Use an ellipsis when omitting a word, phrase, line, paragraph, or more from a quotedpassage.
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