Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:29 pm Post subject:

Dear johntpartee,

OMG, you' re right. He's hardly au courant, residing as he does in 1917 most of the time. Very Happy

Regards,
John

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Hi Johnslat. An apostrophe can be used to clarify. In the case of 1920s, I personally wouldn't use it, but many do putting one in after a number.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 4:28 am Post subject:

Dear Johnslat

The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe... My point is that yet again there seems to be confusion with what is simply 'house style' and a 'mistake'. For all the references that you find saying that 1920's is 'wrong', I'll show you ones that claim it is optional, or even 'US usage'.

I'm also not convinced by this line of argument that apostrophes are used only to denote possession or contractions, but never plurals. Even according to the house style guide you have given, apostrophes can sometimes denote plurals, where there isn't a natural plural form - there are no if's or but's about it, so mind your p's and q's when addressing a great Vozhd like me Very Happy

Hic!'

Best wishes

Sasha

artemisia · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world

I think we�ll all be minding our �p�s and q�s� for some time to come! Well, maybe not Johnslat...

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

It means that they were woken by the cries of the cats and also by the dogs in general (yelping, snuffling and defecating).

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 5:30 am Post subject:

Could be just that the dogs (not their cries) woke the other animals...

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

I don't agree with the principle that because there is a weakness in the system - i.e. an apparent rule about not having apostrophes with plurals and then breaking it in cases of potential ambiguity - that therefore the whole system should be scrapped.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 5:38 am Post subject:

The system works!! Long live the system! Long live the Glorious Apostrophe!

artemisia · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world

My thoughts, too! Thanks for the clarification (and also the great alternative examples to "cries", coledavis!).

Barbaros · Joined: 18 Aug 2012 Posts: 58 Location: North of France

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

"the world is in a terminal decline and that we are going to hell in a handcart!"
While I don't agree with JohnSlat and Scot47 on the subject of the apostrophe and neither did I agree with much of what Mr Muggeridge had to say, I think this statement about the world is about spot on.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:50 am Post subject:

Don't worry Cole. All will be renewed in the coming Communist utopia that will arise from the wreckage of this fallen world. All you need is to have a little Socialist ardour and a steadfast belief in apostrophisation. Oh, Lenin, grant that we will all see the day! Glory to you, our beloved Motherland, though we suffer for you!

rawera · Joined: 21 Aug 2012 Posts: 38

O apostrophe, you would be missed.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

http://www.scottishreview.net/TheCafe27B.shtml?utm_source=Sign-Up.to&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=279728-An+inmate%27s+view+of+the+asylum+known+as+the+BBC+