I F Y O U W A N T T O W R I T E , W R I T E
I F Y O U W A N T T O W R I T E W E L L , R E A D A N D
L E A R N S T R U N K & W H I T E ’ S E L E M E N T S O F
S T Y L E A N D W R I T E

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Rule #1
 Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding ‘s
(even if the word ends in s)
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Hammurabi’s code
Dickens’s last novel
James’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
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Charles’s friend
Burns’s poem
The witch's malice

Ahhh . . . English & its exceptions
 Historical names (ancient historical names)
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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
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One’s rights
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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.
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The student’s book was missing.
Several students’ books were missing
The 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
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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.