Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[mi]

Hello.
Please let me know which sentence is correct.
Is the apostrophe needed there?

"The same trouble has occurred at several customers'."

"The same trouble has occurred at several customers."

Thanks.

mi

[cgage2]

Before we talk about apostrophes, be aware that the sentence doesn't really make any sense. Please rewrite it. I have no idea what you are saying. Try to put it in some context.

[mi]

I wanted to mean several customers have got the same trouble, however, for some reason, I want to satrt the sentence with "The same trouble..." as I wrote earler..

mi

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello Mi -

I don't think you need s' unless you add something like 'place of business'.

Let us know if that works for you. Philo:)

[mi]

Hi.
Thanks for your reply.
So "The same trouble has occurred at several customers." is ok for what I wanted to mean?

mi

[Philo Kevetch]

Well....yes and no.

It depends on several factors.

If you are sending an informal message, memo, e-mail, etc., it 'might' be okay.

If, however, your primary concern is clear communication and ease of understanding, why not use a formulation like your second message in this thread?

Since you formulated your second message to explain what you 'wanted to mean', something like "Several customers have (have had) the same problem." might be better.

If you you still want to start the sentence with "The same trouble..."

(trouble or problem ?)

Since you are using 'at', adding a 'place' (company, factory, shop, store, etc.) will make the message clearer.

"The same problem has occured at several of our customers' companies".

What do you think? Philo

[mi]

Hi Philo.

Ok, I understand it.
Thanks for your help!

mi