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Subject:Re: Grammar Question From:"Michael A. Lewis" <lewism -at- BRANDLE -dot- COM -dot- AU> Date:Fri, 10 Oct 1997 15:26:47 +1000
Stephanie Holland wrote:
>
> I have a journalism degree so I often favor journalistic style. Here it
> is:
>
> If a singular common noun ends in s, add 's -- unless the next word
> begins with s. If the next word begins with s, add an apostrophe only.
>
> For example,
>
> the boss's paper
> the boss' shampoo
>
> I would like the class's opinion.
> I would like the class' silence.
>
> If a singular proper noun ends in s, add an apostrophe only.
>
> For example,
>
> Chris' car
> Russ' books were stolen.
>
I teach professional writing (including, at first year, journalism
students) -- and I would mark each of these apostrophe-only examples as
wrong! Still, Buck Buchanan's solution is perhaps the most effective and
painless.
--
Michael Lewis
Brandle Pty Limited
PO Box 1249
Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012
Australia
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