Search results for 'tag:Possessives tag:Singular nouns' matching tags 'Possessives' and 'Singular nouns'

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

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:32:00 GMT

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.

Re: Singular or plural form of noun adjective

Mister Micawber — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:44:07 GMT

.
'Seemed' to have seen? Could you supply a link to teachers supply that means ' a supply of teachers'?-- at least, that is how I am interpreting your sentences. If they mean "a teachers' supply of chalk", then that is a different matter. Yes, usually the singular noun is used (as adjective) rather than a possessive form, either singular (teacher's) or plural (teachers')

I find you mission sentence odd, but you do not supply the surrounding context. Perhaps Missions is a proper name?

Re: Apostrophes and ending 'ies' versus 's'

Mister Micawber — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:29:18 GMT

Bodys is not a word. I have already supplied you with all of the possible options and their uses-- singular noun, singular possessive, plural noun and plural possessive:

There is one body, and that body's ability to regenerate...
There are two bodies, and those bodies' ability to regenerate...

The body in your sentence is a single, generalized human body.

Re: Is it necessary to use the in the above sentence?

CalifJim — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 03:42:34 GMT

All countable singular nouns in English require a determiner (article, possessive adjective, etc.).

definition is a noun.
definition is countable.
definition is singular.

Therefore, definition requires a determiner. My preference is to write this:

Please explain the definition above.

CJ

Re: how are they different?

Fleder_m@u_S — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 11:19:00 GMT

1. In fact he might even have been known as "the elder" in the sense of "the respected old man".

2. In fact he might even have been known as "elder" in the sense of "respected old man"

I think the 1st is right. Here "elder" is a singular noun, so you dont use it with out an article "a"/ "an"/ "the" , possessive or so on. In the context, "the elder" is the person who is older and/ or has more power than certain people.

1a. In fact it might even have been known as "a fruit" in the sense that it had the qualities that normally attributed to "fruits".

2a. In fact it might even have been known as "fruit" in the sense that it had the qualities that normally attributed to "fruits".

The 1a sentence is right for the same reason.

Re: Possessive of singular noun that ends in S

Bokeh — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 21:31:15 GMT

Tanit wrote:
To make the possessive form of a SINGULAR noun that ends in -s, some style guides say to add just an apostrophe ('); others say you should add an apostrophe and s ('s). Some say that either way is correct.

I find older grammar books, for example "A Modern English Grammar" (Oxford Unifersity Press 1965, 21 Shillings), goes with "Dickens's novel" form whereas later grammar books say either is acceptable, which points towards a dumbing down of standards over the last 40 years.

Re: Possessive of singular noun that ends in S

Tanit — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 14:19:36 GMT

Anonymous wrote:

what's the rule in english grammar for forming the possessive of a singular noun that ends in s?

When I was in high school, I was taught to add only an apostrophe and not an "s". Only later did I discover that both forms are possible.

Read:

" To make the possessive form of a SINGULAR noun that ends in -s, some style guides say to add just an apostrophe ('); others say you should add an apostrophe and s ('s). Some say that either way is correct.
The best answer: when dealing with SINGULAR nouns, find out what the expectations are wherever you're writing and go by that. In most cases, you can just ask your teacher what he or she prefers. (...)
So, to give a couple of examples...
For "nucleus" (singular noun ending in -s), write is as:
nucleus' or nucleus's
depending on the rules where you're writing. "

on this page, second issue.

And, from the BBC website:

" However, if the singular noun ends in âsâ as in your example, Everson, you can either just add an apostrophe (â) or apostrophe 's' (âs):
- 'All of Dickensâ novels have now been adapted for television.'
- 'All of Dickensâs novels have now been adapted for television.'
Note that these spellings are pronounced differently. If you simply add an apostrophe, the pronunciation does not change, but if you add apostrophe 's' (âs), the possessive is pronounced /iz/.
With singular nouns ending in double 's' (...) I think it is more normal to add apostrophe 's' (âs) because the spelling with apostrophe s then indicates the pronunciation required:
- 'The bossâs secretary resigned.'
- 'The princessâs diamonds were worth two million pounds.' "

Re: Possessive of singular noun that ends in S

Doll — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 09:48:34 GMT

If Blady were plural ,Bladys, using 's as you used Bladys' ring... would be ok.

Re: Possessive of singular noun that ends in S

Carrot — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 07:53:02 GMT

Grammar Geek wrote:
Gladys's ring, etc.

I dare object... I think it is Bladys' ring...

What about that?

Re: Possessive of singular noun that ends in S

Grammar Geek — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 04:58:02 GMT

Please don't put a new, unrelated question on the end of a post that is three years old.

For the most part, it will still take 's.

Gladys's ring, etc.

There are exceptions for Jesus and a few other ancients.