SCUA The Society for the Correct Use of the Apostrophe

1. SCUAThe Society for the Correct Use of the Apostrophe MOTTO It’s seldom we see its proper use.

3. A Facebook Ad - October 2010

4. IS TV AT IT’S BEST

5. Sign on meeting/conference room door of Tryon Branch Library, Pensacola, FL

10. UWF Writing Lab Rules of Thumb for Possessives/Apostrophes from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon

11. First Rule of Thumb • DO NOT use an apostrophe to make a noun plural • INCORRECTCORRECT modem’s modems cell phone’s cell phones computer’s computers Venetian blind’s Venetian blinds the cleaner’s the cleaners used textbook’s used textbooks mortgage’s mortgages policies’ policies notebook’s notebooks test result’s test results

12. Not all writers misuse the apostrophe.

13. Use only an –s or –es to form the plural of a proper noun. • The Simpsons • Keeping up with the Joneses • the Kennedys • the Harrises • Several Johnsons, Smiths, and Lopezes in the city directory • Two Gladyses in my lit class • the two Justins • Six Grammys, five Oscars, and two Tonys

14. Not all writers misuse the apostrophe.

15. Familiar apostrophe usage • Rosemary’s Baby • Charlie Wilson’s War • Hell’s Kitchen • Big Mama’s House • Grey’s Anatomy • A Knight’s Tale • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off • Murphy’s Law

16. Second Rule of Thumb: The apostrophe has three common uses. • In Contractions Y’all (NOT Ya’ll) FOR You all doesn’t FOR does not • School’s out! FOR School is out! • For Omissions ‘08 and ‘09 ‘til the end of time • For Possessives Charlie’s Angels Charles’s hamster

17. What is a possessive? • A possessive is a word that uses an apostrophe to show ownership. • The two boys’ bikes • The turtle’s shell • My mother’s recipe • Tess’s scarf • California’s governor • My parents’ permission

18. What do possessives look like? • Possessives almost always have an apostrophe. This apostrophe usually replaces the prepositions of, by, with, or for.

19. Third Rule of ThumbWriters use the apostrophe to substitute for the preposition of, by, with, or for: • a doctor’s appointment (appointment with the doctor) • a week’s notice (notice of one week) • the children’s toys (toys for the children) • Presidents’ Day (Day for [two] Presidents) • the boss’s desk (desk of the boss) • Sophocles’ plays (plays by Sophocles)

20. What do possessives look like? • Sometimes an apostrophe is not used (e.g. possessive pronouns and plurals that do not show ownership). • theirs, NOT their’s • several countries, NOT several country’s

21. Business Apostrophes

22. Business Apostrophes

23. Business Apostrophes

24. Business Apostrophes

25. Business Apostrophes

26. Business Apostrophes

27. For possessive pronouns: its whose yours theirs ours hers For plurals: The Simpsons the Joneses The Kennedys dictionaries bonuses Two Hillarys in my class Do NOT use an apostrophe

28. How does someone make a noun possessive? • Some possessives require an apostrophe and an -s. - Singular nouns: the mayor’s views (Exceptions include ancient proper names ending in –es and such expressions as for conscience’ sake.) - Plural nouns that do not end in –s: children’s hospital • Some possessives require only an apostrophe. - Plural nouns that end in –s: the Joneses’ van

29. Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances: • For singular nouns before plural nouns or other singular nouns: attorney’s fees, the book’s editor • For singular nouns ending in –s: Bill Gates’s computer OR Bill Gates’ computer (unless the pronunciation is distorted: Ulysses’ computer, NOT Ulysses’s computer) • For plural nouns not ending in –s: the people’s court, women’s rights • For time periods: 1900’s OR 1900s(optional) • For plurals of initials and abbreviations: two Ph.D’s on the faculty; several TV’s or TVs (optional)

30. Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances: • For indefinite pronouns: nobody’s business • For joint ownership: Ted and Jane’s wedding • For individual ownership: Ted’s and Jane’s wedding rings • For compound singular nouns: the lieutenant governor’s staff • For compound plural nouns: my brothers-in-law’s jobs

31. JOINT OWNERSHIP • The Diva and the Diplomat: Aretha and Condi’s Duet

32. Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances: • For words with fixed apostrophes: bachelor’s degree, bachelor’s degrees • For plural of letters, numbers and symbols: 3’s and A’s • For words used as words: too many wherefore’s in legalese • For contractions: it’s (it is), who’s (who is), you’re (you are), they’re (they are) • Notice that these are not possessives.

33. Use only an apostrophe in these instances: • For plural nouns ending in –s: the Joneses’ van, my parents’ divorce, both students’ papers, all instructors’ grades, the Beatles’ first hit, my two cents’ worth, the pundits’ opinions versus the experts’ opinions • To form the possessive of some singular nouns ending in –s: Jesus’ teachings, Sophocles’ plays, Keats’ poems OR Keats’s poems

34. What else should someone know about possessives? • When forming compound words and words that show joint possession, only the last word is made possessive (unless the second word is a possessive pronoun). • Mary Ann and Rebekah’s birthday party • Greg’s and my idea • A possessive noun or pronoun should be used when preceding a gerund. • I am tired of your making excuses.

35. Examples of a possessive noun or pronoun preceding a gerund: • my going to college • your coming to class • David’s leaving early • Philip’s being on time • your giving a report

36. Use the possessive case for some inanimate objects. • today’s paper • the university’s commencement speaker • your paper’s topic • her hair’s texture • the novel’s theme • the church’s mission statement

37. Omit the possessive in these instances: • computer monitor • sports page • civil rights movement • state government • special news report • a student rally and protest • humanities scholar • a Florida Gator • beach resorts • the Peter Principle

38. Omit the possessive in these instances: • animal shelter • insurance coverage • the O.J. Simpson trial • White House correspondent • senior citizen discount • UWF Honors Program • Arts and Sciences Council • the Bush administration • family reunion • new jobs report

39. Incorrect Possessive Omissions • Driving my momma car • Joyce brother graduation • Dr. Yeager class • Professor Smith class • My husbands job • My parents consent

40. Let’s Practice!!!-Notice the way the following possessives should be punctuated. • As a complaint clerk for the city, he handles peoples complaints and requests. • …PEOPLE’S COMPLAINTS… • Mr. Hill’s grandmother stepped out of her grandsons 1952 Ford at the corner of Seventh Street and Peach Tree Avenue. • …GRANDSON’S 1952 FORD… • My three little girls favorite cartoon comes on very early Saturday morning. • …GIRLS’ FAVORITE… • A sale of childrens’ and mens’ Dingo boots doesn’t happen regularly. • …CHILDREN’S AND MEN’S…

41. Let’s Practice a Little More… • David’s and Kevin’s classroom is on the right at the end of the hall. • DAVID AND KEVIN’S… • Brent and Brian’s report cards were smudged and torn. • BRENT’S AND BRIAN’S… • The three musketeer’s swords are fine, fast, and fancy. • THE THREE MUSKETEERS’ SWORDS… • My sister-in-laws’ child-rearing practices leave much to be desired. • MY SISTER-IN-LAW’S CHILD-REARING… • My brother keeps his bachelors degree framed in his office. • …BACHELOR’S DEGREE…

42. Almost There… • On my last report card, I received two As, one B, and two Cs. • …A’s…C’s. • There are too many maybes in his report. • …MAYBE’S… • The hospital has four M.D.s on staff today. • …M.D.’s… • Whose your favorite actor in Hollywood? • WHO’S… (Note that this is not a possessive). • I am excited about you addressing the assembly. • …YOUR ADDRESSING…

43. Last Ones!!! • Florida expects its’ students to speak and write well. • …ITS STUDENTS… • Ed drove the Harrises’ home from the Joneses party. • …HARRISES…JONESES’ PARTY.