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#1 (permalink) |
Addict
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How to use apostrophes
I'm a bit picky when it comes to grammar, so please don't take offense to this thread. I've noticed that some people on this board are not using apostrophes properly, so I wrote down some helpful hints:
1. Apostrophes exist for a reason. If there is no reason for you to use an apostrophe, don't put one in. 2. Contractions use apostrophes: don't, can't wouldn't, shouldn't - the apostrophe indicates that letters are missing, so it is also used in words like ma'am (madam). 3. Apostrophes are used to indicate possession: Steve's taco, Jess' radio, states' residents. In the "Steve's taco" example, the s follows the apostrophe because there is only one person doing the possessing. Notice, however, that in the "Jess' radio" example, the apostrophe follows the apostrophe because "Jess" ends in an s even when singular. In the "states' residents" example, the placement of the apostrophe indicates that we are talking abou residents from multiple states. If they were all from one state, it would be "state's residents". 4. The toughest word to remember is [its vs. it's]. In this instance, the apostrophe is used in the contraction [It's a beautiful day], but is not used in the possessive [The dog chased its tail], even though this is in violation of the rules above. If you read through this whole thing, more power to you. You must care about grammar as much as I do! ![]()
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The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty |
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#5 (permalink) | |
Addict
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Quote:
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The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty |
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#6 (permalink) |
Adequate
Location: In my angry-dome.
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I believe the horribly deformed "care's" was meant in jest.
I care's two.
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There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195 |
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#7 (permalink) | |
Getting it.
Super Moderator
Location: Lion City
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/me hands politicophile a sense of humour...
I figured three inappropriately used apostrophes in a row would be telling enough... Can anyone really be that bad? Quote:
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke Last edited by Charlatan; 07-27-2005 at 12:09 PM.. |
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#8 (permalink) |
Addict
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Whatever. Just don't threadjack me, please. This thread is dedicated to the Great and Powerful Apostrophe.
__________________
The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty |
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#9 (permalink) | |
Tilted Cat Head
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
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Quote:
This is a duplicate thread...and it's been hashed over many many times.
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apostrophes |
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