IF YOU WANT TO WRITE, WRITE

IF YOU WANT TO WRITE WELL, READ AND LEARN STRUNK & WHITE’S ELEMENTS OF

STYLE AND WRITE

Strunk & WhiteThe Elements of Style

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Rule #1

Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding ‘s (even if the word ends in s)

Hammurabi’s codeDickens’s last novelJames’s cello

Is the decline of the English language down to ignorance or apathy? Don't know. Don't care.

Follow the rule whatever the final consonant

Charles’s friendBurns’s poemThe witch's malice

Ahhh . . . English & its exceptions

Historical names (ancient historical names)

Such as Jesus, Moses, Isis

Exceptions

Pronominal possessives such as her, its, theirs, yours, ours

But – indefinite pronouns DO use the apostrophe to show possession

One’s rights Somebody else’s umbrella

Plurals: An apostrophe NEVER designates that plural form of a noun!!

Form the possessive case of a plural noun by adding an apostrophe after the final letter if it is an s or by adding ‘s if the final letter is not an s.

The student’s book was missing.Several students’ books were missingThe students searched for their missing book.

Recent Errors

Victoria’s Secret new campaign

(BODY is a brand name.)

Videos for Grammar Geeks :-)

Grammar Girl’s Explanation

No one cares about grammar when you’re selling sexy lingerie

Plural of an initialism (incorrect)

Contractions

The apostrophe is used to mark omitted letters in contractions.

It’s is a contraction for it is. Its is the possessive for it.

It’s a wise dog that scratches its own fleas.

It’s a smart student that memorizes its Strunk & White rules.

Upcoming quiz

Quiz Wednesday on use Deadly Sin 1, Deadly Sin 2, Deadly Sin 3, and Deadly Sin 4.