apostrophe question

Bob · #1 07-09-2008, 06:00 PM

when you're writing the plural form of an abbreviation, do you put an apostrophe before the "s"? in other words, which of the two following sentences is correct?

"there aren't any ATMs on this street"

"there aren't any ATM's on this street"

i feel like i should know this but apparently it hasn't come up for me before until just now!

Bob · #2 07-09-2008, 06:02 PM

a related question: do the rules of "a" and "an" change around when an abbreviation begins with a letter that starts with a vowel sound? which of the two is correct:

i just saw an RAF plane

i just saw a RAF plane

Dorothy Wood · #3 07-09-2008, 06:05 PM

I think the preferred way to use an apostrophe in that situation is to leave it out, but I think it's acceptable to use it. I don't know the exact rule.

as for the "an", you go by the sound you hear when you say "R". and since it sounds like "are", you use "an".

Guy Incognito · #4 07-09-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

a related question: do the rules of "a" and "an" change around when an abbreviation begins with a letter that starts with a vowel sound? which of the two is correct:

i just saw an RAF plane

i just saw a RAF plane

"there aren't any ATMs on this street"

i just saw an RAF plane

or i have no cash and we are being invaded by the British

Dorothy Wood · #5 07-09-2008, 06:07 PM

http://www.acronymsearch.com/documents/FAQ_004.htm

Bob · #6 07-09-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Incognito

"there aren't any ATMs on this street"

i just saw an RAF plane

or i have no cash and we are being invaded by the British

lol thanks

Guy Incognito · #7 07-09-2008, 06:13 PM

I thought it might depend on what type of acronym it was.

Dorothy Wood · #8 07-09-2008, 06:19 PM

hey, I was first!

QueenAdrock · #9 07-09-2008, 06:20 PM

Yeah, a lot of people want to put apostrophes after vowels or numbers or abbreviations, but it's usually wrong.

"I grew up in the 1990's" is wrong. "I grew up in the 1990s" is correct.
"Let's go rent some video's" is wrong. "Let's go rent some videos" is correct.

Rule of thumb, unless it's possessive (or a contraction), leave the apostrophe out.

DeeJayZap · #10 07-09-2008, 06:32 PM

the only problem i have with apostrophes is when i refer to the name James or something that ends with s. i'm pretty sure that if James owns something it would be " James' " but i always see people say "James's". It doesnt help that james is my name lol

Guy Incognito · #11 07-09-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorothy Wood

hey, I was first!

thats what i meant - the thumbs up was for you for pointing it out and for bob for laughing at bad jokes.

Bob · #12 07-09-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorothy Wood

hey, I was first!

his was funnier

Dorothy Wood · #13 07-09-2008, 06:55 PM

oh sorry, I probably should've slipped on a banana peel in mine.

milleson · #14 07-09-2008, 06:57 PM

I thought this thread was going to be about Sears' clothing line.

roosta · #15 07-10-2008, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QueenAdrock

Rule of thumb, unless it's possessive (or a contraction), leave the apostrophe out.

That's the ticket right there.

Guy Incognito · #16 07-10-2008, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Incognito

thats what i meant - the thumbs up was for you for pointing it out and for bob for laughing at bad jokes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorothy Wood

oh sorry, I probably should've slipped on a banana peel in mine.

i just realised Dorothy wasnt having a go at me!

Banana peel is a sight gag - you would never have made it work on a message board

hitmonlee · #17 07-10-2008, 06:44 AM

i ALWAYS write DVDs or CDs, i'm quite passionate about it.
however i have issues with pluralising the acronym "SMS" as SMSs can't be right...

so i just say text messages instead.

Pres Zount · #18 07-10-2008, 07:27 AM

Nobody is perfect, but the best way to remember how to use an apostrophe is to think of it as a substitute for a bunch of letters.

The apostrophe in "You're" is a substitute for a space and an "a". You are.

"Your the best Paddy!" is excruciatingly wrong in so many ways.

In "Should've slipped on a banana peel", it's there instead of a space and "ha". Should have.

ATM's would be ATM is.

God knows I fuck up enough, so I'm certainly not bragging.

Loppfessor · #19 07-10-2008, 07:52 AM

You guys already answered but let me just say it's for us to have a grammar discussion around here when it's not part of a fued or making fun of someone...we should do it more often

Pres Zount · #20 07-10-2008, 08:37 AM

What the fuck does that mean?

Loppfessor · #21 07-10-2008, 08:43 AM

Just what I said fool!

Guy Incognito · #22 07-10-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loppfessor

You guys already answered but let me just say it's for us to have a grammar discussion around here when it's not part of a fued or making fun of someone...we should do it more often

Ok, first topic in a "use of english language" discussion is how do you spell "feud"?

Loppfessor · #23 07-10-2008, 08:49 AM

LOL...I would like to say I had done that on purpos to give us a discussion topic but I'm just in a rush typing shit at work

Guy Incognito · #24 07-10-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loppfessor

LOL...I would like to say I had done that on purpos to give us a discussion topic but I'm just in a rush typing shit at work

I aint falling for that one dude.

Loppfessor · #25 07-10-2008, 11:03 AM

I changed my mind...threads about grammar suck ass!

insertnamehere · #26 07-10-2008, 12:18 PM

I like to double up on my contractions, like, shouldn't've. I'm pretty sure that's horribly wrong but I like it anyway.

It bugs me when people use "of" instead of "have." Could of, would of, etc.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode