UWF Writing Lab Rules of Thumb for 拇指规则UWF写作实验室.pptVIP

JOINT OWNERSHIP The Diva and the Diplomat: Aretha and Condi’s Duet * Use the apostrophe and –s in these instances:  For words with fixed apostrophes: bachelor’s degree, bachelor’s degrees For plural of letters, numbers and symbols: 3’s and A’s For words used as words: too many wherefore’s in legalese For contractions: it’s (it is), who’s (who is), you’re (you are), they’re (they are) Notice that these are not possessives. * Use only an apostrophe in these instances: For plural nouns ending in –s: the Joneses’ van, my parents’ divorce, both students’ papers, all instructors’ grades, the Beatles’ first hit, my two cents’ worth, the pundits’ opinions versus the experts’ opinions To form the possessive of some singular nouns ending in –s: Jesus’ teachings, Sophocles’ plays, Keats’ poems OR Keats’s poems * What else should someone know about possessives? When forming compound words and words that show joint possession, only the last word is made possessive (unless the second word is a possessive pronoun). Mary Ann and Rebekah’s birthday party Greg’s and my idea A possessive noun or pronoun should be used when preceding a gerund. I am tired of your making excuses. * Examples of a possessive noun or pronoun preceding a gerund: my going to college your coming to class David’s leaving early Philip’s being on time your giving a report * Use the possessive case for some inanimate objects. today’s paper the university’s commencement speaker your paper’s topic her hair’s texture the novel’s theme the church’s mission statement * Omit the possessive in these instances: computer monitor sports page civil rights movement state government special news report a student rally and protest humanities scholar a Florida Gator beach resorts the Peter Principle * Omit the possessive in these instances: animal shelter insurance coverage the O.J. Simpson trial White House correspondent senior citizen discount UWF Honors Program Arts and Sciences Council the Bush administr