On 2007-10-20, Ian Dalziel <iandalziel@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Sat, 20 Oct 2007 13:13:45 +0100, Whiskers
> <catwheezel@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
[...]
>>But the apostrophe is not used to indicate an abbreviation; it is used
to
>>indicate a contraction (such as the wi in I'll or the o in didn't) or
>>possesive (as in my car's wheels) but not a plural (unless you're a
grocer
>>and so benefit from the licence to use apostrophes in that position).
If
>>you wish to indicate an abbreviation, use a full stop [American
"period"] -
>>but that is not done if the abbreviation is pluralised (again, unless
you
>>are a grocer, of course).
>>
>>The correct plural of cauli is caulies. Or is it caulis? Perhaps I'll
>>just have the peas.
>>
>>See also "Eats Shoots and Leaves" by Lynn Truss - and if you dare, the
>>newsgroup alt.possessive.its.has.no.apostrophe :))
>
> In the context I used it, I hope it was clear that I used
> "abbreviation" literally, meaning "shortening" - the examples being
> discussed are all contractions.
..-----<http://www.answers.com/contraction?cat=biz-fin&nafid=3>
| [...]
|
| Home > Library > Words > Grammar Dictionary
| contraction
|
|
| A word produced by running two or more words together and leaving out
some
| of the letters or sounds. For example, isn't is a contraction of is not.
|
| An apostrophe is generally used in contractions to show where letters or
| sounds have been left out.
|
| [...]
'-----
..-----<http://www.answers.com/abbreviation?nafid=3>
| [...]
|
| Home > Library > Words > Grammar Dictionary
| abbreviation
|
|
| A shortened form of an expression, usually followed by a period. Dr. is
a
| standard abbreviation for Doctor; MA is a standard abbreviation for
| Massachusetts.
|
| [...]
'-----
> If you have "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" (DO try to get it wrong when it
> matters!)
I thought I had.
> you might want to check it - it is Lynn Truss who maintains
> that an apostrophe was formerly required in the plural of initialisms
> such as "m.p.".
*formerly*.
Not that anyone is final arbiter for English usage, of course :))
<http://eatsshootsandleaves.com/ESLquiz.html>
(Flash required).
--
-- ^^^^^^^^^^
-- Whiskers
-- ~~~~~~~~~~
|
