The apostrophe

[VeloClone]

Yes...English is clear about this, which is why "won't" is the contraction of "will not".

So the exception is the rule?

 

[TXCyclones]

There is an ever raging war over how to spell y'all. It's a contraction. It stands for You All and the apostrophe replaces the ou. It is NOT Ya All with the apostrophe replacing the capitalized A. By the way, that's NOT a capitolized A.

You all = y'all
We all = ...? w'all?

 

[TXCyclones]

You all = y'all
We all = ...? w'all?

When we're done teaching apostrophes maybe we can teach "ellipses", because...

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

When we're done teaching apostrophes maybe we can teach "ellipses", because...

Spaces, people, spaces!

 

[TXCyclones]

This reminds me of people who don't understand that "a part" and "apart" are antonyms. I can be a part of a team but when I quit the team I am apart from it.

One of the very rare word or phrase combinations that are antonyms but sound the same. The other I can think of is "raise" and "raze".

I JUST read a post on LinkedIn by a semi-intelligent person who typed "I'm happy to be apart of an organization that...". Seriously? Come on, man!

 

[chadly82]

I JUST read a post on LinkedIn by a semi-intelligent person who typed "I'm happy to be apart of an organization that...". Seriously? Come on, man!

I'm sure the HR director is super excited!

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

I JUST read a post on LinkedIn by a semi-intelligent person who typed "I'm happy to be apart of an organization that...". Seriously? Come on, man!

Because it should be "apart from"

 

[CyValley]

Does it make a difference if the word starts with "s?"

Chris's sisters?
Chris' sisters?
Chris Williams's sisters?
Chris Williams' sisters?

Doesn't a particular style of usage apply? Not all manuals apply. Decades ago my go-to reference was the Associated Press style handbook. Was there not a Chicago style of manual among several others? It's been so long, I don't recall.

 

[CyValley]

Democrats are different from Republicans.

Oh, thank the gods! . . . er, ah, maybe that wasn't your point. Sorry.

 

[CyValley]

Yes...English is clear about this, which is why "won't" is the contraction of "will not".

Reminds me of numbers. The 60's is not correct, correct? It is the '60s, the apostrophe stands in for "19" as in 1960s. 60's should not be possessive. Is this correct?

 

[CyValley]

I JUST read a post on LinkedIn by a semi-intelligent person who typed "I'm happy to be apart of an organization that...". Seriously? Come on, man!

Might it have b een a typo? Happens.

Spaces, people, spaces!

"en" spaces versus "em" spaces in PC talk. Certainly remember that stuff. Heh

 

[Cycsk]

Reminds me of numbers. The 60's is not correct, correct? It is the '60s, the apostrophe stands in for "19" as in 1960s. 60's should not be possessive. Is this correct?

What if you are talking about a number between 60 and 69? "In the 60's"

 

[CyValley]

What if you are talking about a number between 60 and 69? "In the 60's"

IIRC from the AP style manual (and it's 50/50 that I do or don't ; - ) if the numbers are 1-9, they are spelled out. So, it would be between "60-69." No apostrophe required since it does not replace missing numbers as in 1960s vs '60s.

Re-reading your post, perhaps I misunderstood? It would be in the 60s as a description rather than as a possessive. But, hey, I'm willing to be wrong!

 

[ozone]

The '60's decade was so cool.

 

[Cycsk]

IIRC from the AP style manual (and it's 50/50 that I do or don't ; - ) if the numbers are 1-9, they are spelled out. So, it would be between "60-69." No apostrophe required since it does not replace missing numbers as in 1960s vs '60s.

Re-reading your post, perhaps I misunderstood? It would be in the 60s as a description rather than as a possessive. But, hey, I'm willing to be wrong!

But, what if I want to refer to them as a group, such as "temperatures in the 60's." "60s" doesn't seem right.

 

[CyValley]

But, what if I want to refer to them as a group, such as "temperatures in the 60's." "60s" doesn't seem right.

Myself, I can't answer that without digging out my AP style manual (buried in a box buried in my garage ; - )

Bet someone here will know.

 

[cyclones500]

Myself, I can't answer that without digging out my AP style manual (buried in a box buried in my garage ; - )

Bet someone here will know.

(Based mainly on AP style)

'60s -- the decade. Apostrophe at the front.
"Temperature in the 60s" or "He is in his 60s." (No apostrophe).

 

[NickTheGreat]

I JUST read a post on LinkedIn by a semi-intelligent person who typed "I'm happy to be apart of an organization that...". Seriously? Come on, man!

There's organizations that I'm happy to be apart from now. Is that what he meant?

 

[jcf817]

Reminds me of numbers. The 60's is not correct, correct? It is the '60s, the apostrophe stands in for "19" as in 1960s. 60's should not be possessive. Is this correct?

I think that's correct: The 1960s or The '60s. But my understanding is that the apostrophe before the s isn't completely bad. I don't agree.

 

[jaj040]

This is my favorite thread because I can make grammatical errors and no one can tell if I'm dumb or doing it for the lul'z.