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Anonymous

#200751 Sat, 25 Feb 06 01:23 PM

Hi,

I have a phrase here used in a sentence, can you tell me why there is no apostrophe for "trousers"?

a piece of paper in your trousers pocket

Anonymous

Apostrophes

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Clive

#200779 Sat, 25 Feb 06 03:30 PM

Hi,

can you tell me why there is no apostrophe for "trousers"?

a piece of paper in your trousers pocket 'Trousers' is a noun that acts here as an adjective. This is commonly done. eg

my jacket pocket

a government decision

a car seat

(In North America, we say 'pants', not 'trousers')

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (22,568)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Nouns, Apostrophes

Nick147

#200916 Sun, 26 Feb 06 12:36 AM

Actually, the sentence would usually say "....in your trouser pocket". When used as an adjective in this way trousers is usually used in the singular. For example a trouser press. - Words that are used to signify items that are usually plural, like a pair of trousers are confusing in this way!

I hope that is not too complicated!