%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 This is a continuation of my blogging here at WdC |
| Apostrophes Another request (last one). Apostrophes are used for two things â contractions and possession. Contractions are when letters are dropped when two words are combined. Would not = wouldnât Cannot = canât Of the clock/On the clock = oâclock I would have = Iâdâve (this one is not really accepted by some editors) I would/I had = Iâd It is = itâs OR âtis (archaic) ...and so on. A common question is are these sort of contractions okay to use in prose or should they only be used in dialogue. The answer is it depends on your publisher and your own personal style. Personally, I think they are fine anywhere. Capital-L Literature publishers only like them in dialogue, and some high fantasy publishers feel the same. Some editors prefer them to be used sparingly. Some childrenâs publishers also do not like them. Basically, if going the traditional publishing route, check with their house style first. The second usage is possession. This is when some-one owns something. In this case we add apostrophe-s. Mikeâs car The catâs food The sunâs rays A houseâs roof If the word ends in s already, just put an apostrophe except if you would say the extra s out loud. This is confusing, so if you leave the extra âsâ off, then thatâs acceptable as well. The cowsâ field The starsâ light Jamesâs suit The busâs wheels So, again, say it out loud, and what sounds right, use it. There is one possessive that does not use an apostrophe â its, meaning belonging to it. In fact, just to confuse matters, all pronoun possessives have no apostrophes: his, her, hers, their, theirs, our, etc. Apostrophes are NOT used for plurals! Cow = one cow Cows = more than one cow Cowâs = belongs to the one cow Cowsâ = belongs to many cows. However, some guides and some English writing courses state you do use an apostrophe if you are doing a plural of a single letter or digit. Technically, this is correct, but has fallen out of fashion. I got four Aâs on my report card. The gymnast got three 10âs for her routine. This is not universal. Use it if you want, or not. I tend not to, but at least 2 publishers I have worked with have changed it. That's it. Apostrophes. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
