Forum newsfeeds
Forum Newsfeeds


Sites for Teachers

Sites for Teachers


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher

Notices

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 16-Sep-2004, 13:04
Tibbs
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Apostrophes.

Hi,

Can anyone help me with the following problems I have, concerning how to add apostrophes to plural words that already end with an s?

which of the following is correct?

Cyrus's car, or Cyrus' car?

Spectres's existence, or spectres' existence?

Vessels's peace, or Vessels' peace?

I notice there are differences between US English and UK English, it's the UK version I need.

Any help would be appreciated.
Many Thanks.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 17-Sep-2004, 09:11
Casiopea's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Country: Canada
Posts: 12,997
Thanks: 0
Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts
Current Location: China
First Language: English
Casiopea is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Apostrophes.

The Universal rule (i.e., American English and British English) is: don't add -s when the word ends in an -s, like this,

Cyrus' car :D
Spectres' existence :D
Vessels' peace :D

Quote:
I notice there are differences between US English and UK English,...
Yes. It's called the greengrocers' apostrophe. Click here.

All the best, :D
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 18-Sep-2004, 12:44
Tibbs
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Apostrophes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Casiopea
The Universal rule (i.e., American English and British English) is: don't add -s when the word ends in an -s, like this,

Cyrus' car :D
Spectres' existence :D
Vessels' peace :D

Quote:
I notice there are differences between US English and UK English,...
Yes. It's called the greengrocers' apostrophe. Click here.

All the best, :D

Many thanks for your help, it is much appreciated. :D
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 18-Sep-2004, 12:47
Casiopea's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Country: Canada
Posts: 12,997
Thanks: 0
Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts
Current Location: China
First Language: English
Casiopea is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Apostrophes.

You're welcome, and welcome!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
None

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Apostrophes Tdol Advanced 18 28-Apr-2008 11:04
Apostrophes Anonymous Ask a Teacher 5 16-Apr-2008 10:24
Apostrophes Tdol Beginner 21 03-Mar-2008 04:13
Apostrophes and Time Expressions markbarnard General Language Discussions 3 06-Mar-2003 16:06


All times are GMT. The time now is 19:51.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0 RC5
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 UsingEnglish.com