Apostrophe abuse is one of the most common and insidious assaults on the written word. I’m sorry to say that one of my favorite computer programs, Dragon Naturally Speaking, gets it wrong with proper names nearly every time. Although I write my first draft in longhand, I eventually type it up by reading it aloud into the computer, using the Dragon voice-recognition software. And when I say something like, “Let’s invite the Bellamys over for sushi and a seance!” the software will get “let’s” correct, but it’ll write Bellamy’s instead of the simple plural, Bellamys. Ignert, I say! Ignert!
There are many ways to abuse apostrophes, but probably the one I despise the most is when the little booger shows up in a plural word. Don’t use an apostrophe in a non-possessive plural. Ever. Please, I’m begging you.
It’s a small comfort to know I’m not alone. I’ve actually found three web sites devoted to publicizing the matter.
Let’s lay apostrophe abuse to rest:
Sigh.
Menu
0 Responses
Word!
It drives me coocoobananas when peeps do that.
Oy.
Word!
It drives me coocoobananas when peeps do that.
Oy.
I got a t-shirt for my birthday that says “Good Grammar Costs Nothing”. I wear it often as a hint for people.
Usually, if I don’t know the correct usage or am not sure, I’ll reword a sentence. If it sounds awkward, I’ll look up correct usage. It’s the computer age. Use the computer for more than You Tube (though You Tube has its purpose, too). 🙂
I got a t-shirt for my birthday that says “Good Grammar Costs Nothing”. I wear it often as a hint for people.
Usually, if I don’t know the correct usage or am not sure, I’ll reword a sentence. If it sounds awkward, I’ll look up correct usage. It’s the computer age. Use the computer for more than You Tube (though You Tube has its purpose, too). 🙂
I just hate it when the apostrophe in a contraction is in the wrong place. Example: Your’e not coming in here with those muddy boots, mister!
http://www.lindarella.wordpress.com
I just hate it when the apostrophe in a contraction is in the wrong place. Example: Your’e not coming in here with those muddy boots, mister!
http://www.lindarella.wordpress.com