Proper Use of Apostrophes (Dos and Don'ts about Do's and Don't's)

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Guest

#55672 Tue, 16 Nov 04 06:04 PM

In the phrase, "do's and don't's, " what is the proper use of the apostrophes used to pluralize these words? For example, it may be written in an article as "The do's and don't's of successful gardening." I have seen it written as "dos and don'ts," "do's and don'ts," etc. What is proper for this phrase?

Guest

Apostrophes, Articles

Mister Micawber

#55726 Wed, 17 Nov 04 12:29 AM

There is no answer that will not raise a storm of protest from some quarter, Guest. Some say that apostrophes should NEVER be used for plurals, hence: "dos and don'ts". I personally do not like that 'dos', which looks like computer software, and would be happy to settle for the mongrel solution, "do's and don'ts". Purists from both sides would decry that, however, and some would opt for the more consistent "do's and don't's"-- which I don't like because of the plethora of apostrophes in the latter word.

Good luck in all your endeavors.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (21,223)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Apostrophes, Plurals

Anonymous

#157980 Sun, 13 Nov 05 02:14 AM

wtf ? It's not about what you like and what you don't like. There are non-disputal rules governing the use of apostrophes. It is NOT a matter of opinion.

The correct use is "The dos and don'ts"

Anonymous

Apostrophes

Anonymous

#386404 Sun, 01 Jul 07 12:43 AM

From Brad Brown. 3:43:16 PM - Saturday, June 30, 2007

Please check here for more information:

<owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_apost.html>

Anonymous

Apostrophes, Grammar

Anonymous

#499473 Fri, 11 Apr 08 07:33 PM

How would I use the apostrophe for this: Ross' Handyman or Ross's Handyman

Anonymous

Apostrophes

Grammar Geek

#499480 Fri, 11 Apr 08 08:10 PM

I would write Ross's

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,583)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Apostrophes

Anonymous

#541129 Mon, 14 Jul 08 09:46 AM

It should be Ross' Handyman

Anonymous

Apostrophes

Grammar Geek

#541217 Mon, 14 Jul 08 01:27 PM

Anonymous
It should be Ross' Handyman

"should be"?

There is no universal agreement on this. But since most people would say "Rossiz" the extra s after the ' makes sense to me.

Grammar Geek

Apostrophes

Anonymous

#545684 Thu, 24 Jul 08 03:32 AM

According to the Gregg Reference Manual: "To form the possessive of a singular noun that ends in an s sound, be guided by the way you pronounce the word. If a new syllable is formed in the pronunciation of the possessive, add an apostrophe plus s."

Ex: your boss's approval (you pronounce it as bosses); therefore, add the apostrophe.

Also according to the Gregg Reference Manual: "However, if the addition of the extra syllable would make a word ending in s hard to pronounce, use the apostrophe only."

Ex: Los Angeles' freeways (try saying Los Angeleses). Difficult to do; therefore, just use the apostrophe.

Best grammar books are The Gregg Reference Manual and the Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers.

I have no problem with boss' approval. At least this is a rule where one can understand why people get it wrong. There are grammar errors that bother me more; I cannot understand why people misuse apostrophes.

Anonymous

Apostrophes, Grammar, Nouns, Possessives, Pronunciation, Singular nouns

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