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The Apostrophe

The Apostrophe. That Annoying L ittle M ark of Punctuation That Causes So Much Fuss and Makes People Want to Stop Writing and Jump Off a Ledge Because Nobody Knows How to Use it Correctly Even Though It Is as Clear As Day. Ancient Meaning. From the Greek meaning “turning away” “Omission”

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The Apostrophe

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  1. The Apostrophe That Annoying Little Mark of Punctuation That Causes So Much Fuss and Makes People Want to Stop Writing and Jump Off a Ledge Because Nobody Knows How to Use it Correctly Even Though It Is as Clear As Day.

  2. Ancient Meaning • From the Greek meaning “turning away” • “Omission” • Taken out!

  3. Uses • To make contractions • To create dialect • To make nouns possessive

  4. 1) To Make Contractions • Did not = didn’t • Cannot = can’t • Would not = wouldn’t • Am not = ain’t • While logical, this breaks the rules of Standard Formal English

  5. 2) To Create Dialect • Dialect • A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary • A variety of speech differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists • Dialect is NOT to be confused with an accent. One can speak Standard English with an accent – that is NOT dialect.

  6. Ummm…what?Standard English…… • Proper grammar • I am here. • Do not pay attention to that man behind the curtain. • Proper pronunciation • I am getting ready (g in “getting”) • Yes, Sir. (the er sound in “sir”) • Proper vocabulary • Level of formality • Pop, soda, Coke

  7. Dialects would be…. • Southern English • Fixin’ • Don’t pay him no nevermind. • East Coast English • Park the car in the yard. • Cajun English (Louisiana) • No worry, cher. • Texas English • Hey, y’all

  8. Translate the Dialect into Standard English 1) I’sefixin’ to git ready fo’ yo’ dinner. 2)‘Geet yet? 3) ‘Yant to? 4) ‘Mungry 5) ‘Squeat! • Y’all gityerself home now, ya’ hear? • That button ain't broke, you just gotta mash it twict.

  9. I’sefixin’ to git ready fo’ yo’ dinner. Answer: I am getting ready to fix your dinner. 2)‘Geet yet? Answer: Did you eat yet? 3) ‘Yant to? Answer: Do you want to?

  10. 4) ‘Mungry Answer: I am hungry 5) ‘Squeat! Answer: Let’s go eat! • Y’all gityerself home now, ya’ hear? Answer: Please get yourselves home now. Do you understand me?

  11. 7) That button ain't broke, you just gotta mash it twict. Answer: That button isn’t broken. You may just have to press it twice Note: In the South, people do not press or push buttons, they mash them.

  12. Note!!! • Many times, dialect is NOT as noticeable as these examples. • Sometimes it is a subtle as “clipping” the ends of words • Going = goin’ • Getting = getting‘’ • Sir = Suh

  13. 3) To Make Nouns Possessive • Singular noun that own something • The boy’s hat • One boy owns a hat • The Tour de France’s winner • One winner of the Tour de France

  14. Singular Possessive • Take the singular noun and add an ‘s

  15. Possessive Plural Nouns • Make the noun plural and then add one of two constructions: • If the plural form ends in an s = add just the ‘ • Boys’ hats • Girls’ pants • If the plural does NOT end in an s = add the ‘s a) children’s books b) women’s flowers

  16. Time or Quantity • While not truly “possessive,” it might help to think about it in this manner: 1) Two weeks’ time • I will give you my project within two weeks’ time • (As if the weeks own the time) 2) Give me four yards’ worth of fabric. • The yards “own” the fabric.

  17. Never…Never…Never… NEVER use the apostrophe to make a word plural!! That is the most incorrect usage of the apostrophe. This error is the most glaring mistake a writer can make. It shows a great immaturity by a writer.

  18. What do these Structures Mean? • Giant Kid’s Playground • Pant’s altered • Next week: Nouns and Apostrophe’s (BBC’s website advertising a grammar site for children!) • Pupil’s Entrance • Adult Learner’s Week • Bobs’ Motors

  19. More! • Mens Toilets • Citizens Advice Bureau • Cyclist’s Only

  20. More Silliness.. • People knew they needed an apostrophe, but didn’t know where! • Ladie’s hairdresser • Mens coat’s • Childrens’ education (In a letter from the head of education at the National Union of Teachers) 4) Freds’ Restaurant

  21. Plain Illiteracy… • Hot Dogs: A Meal in Its’ Self • Recruitment at it’s best • ….to welcome you to the British Library, it’s services and catalogs • Your 21 today! (On a birthday card)

  22. A Note from Our Sponsor “It would be nice if one day the number of apostrophes properly placed in it’s equaled exactly the number of apostrophes properly omitted from its, instead of the other way around. In the meantime, what can be done by those of us sickened by the sate of apostrophe abuse? First, we must refute the label “dinosaurs” (I really hate that). And second, we must take up arms. Here are the weapons required in the apostrophe wars (stop when you feel uncomfortable):

  23. Correction fluid • Big pens • Stickers cut in a variety of sizes (for sticking over unwanted apostrophes) • Pail of paint with big brush • Guerilla-style clothing • Strong medication for personality disorder • Bullhorn • Gun” -Lynn Truss, Eats, Shoots and Leaves

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