How To Use An Apostrophe
Due to some recent criticism I’ve received about the spelling and grammar on this blog, my post today will venture from my usual subject (tech), and dive into the - often pointless and undoubtedly confusing – world of grammar.
To begin…
Today while I was scrolling through my RSS feeds (using Google Reader), I happened upon a new post from Lifehacker Titled: “Apostrophe.me Ends Your Apostrophe Ponderings“. Since I am one (of millions) who rather consistently misplaces and missuses apostrophes (due to their confusing application and nature), this caught my attention, so naturally I clicked the link to go check out this (presumably) insightful/useful website. To my surprise I was greeted with nice, clean page (“clean” meaning a simple layout, not confusing, and not full of ad banners or other distractions from the point of the website) that cleverly and comically explained how, when and where to correctly use an apostrophe.
So, here’s the link http://apostrophe.me/ go check it out and let me know what you think.
toodles,
C@RL
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“Recent criticism”?? … It’s obvious that “some” people can’t take the truth without feeling like they’ve been criticized.
“often pointless and undoubtedly confusing – world of grammar”…WHAT!?!? Grammar is NOT pointless ( or undoubtedly confusing)!!!
“Since I am one (of millions) who rather consistently misplaces and missuses apostrophes (due to their confusing application and nature)” … It’s really too bad that you’re not one of millions, like me, who rather consistently places and uses apostrophes correctly (due to their understandable application and nature).
“check it out and let me know what you think” … I think that a subject as serious as grammar deserves to be taken seriously. Though that page clearly showed how and how not to use apostrophes, I don’t think they should have used ridiculous sentences to demonstrate their examples. (Too bad I can’t leave a comment on their page.)
Signed,
… ah hahaha (you don’t know who it is)
Anonymous
P.S. May I again suggest a grammar check and spellcheck. (That wasn’t a question btw.)
Let the flame wars begin…
“It’s obvious that “some” people can’t take the truth without feeling like they’ve been criticized.”
Criticism isn’t necessarily a bad thing, nor did I say that was my view of the little I received. In fact, I didn’t even mention what I thought of the criticism, I only noted that it had been received.
“Grammar is NOT pointless ( or undoubtedly confusing)!!!”
I said it was “often” pointless, not that it was completely pointless. As for it being confusing, well, I think there are many more people who would agree with me rather than you.
“It’s really too bad that you’re not one of millions, like me, who rather consistently places and uses apostrophes correctly (due to their understandable application and nature).”
Yes it really is too bad. But then, if they were so understandable and easy to correctly use, there wouldn’t need to be website explain how to use them, would there? (hummmmm??)
“I think that a subject as serious as grammar deserves to be taken seriously.”
If grammar was a serious thing, I would think many more people would take it seriously.
“I don’t think they should have used ridiculous sentences to demonstrate their examples.”
HA! The humor is what makes the site worth reading.
“(Too bad I can’t leave a comment on their page.)”
Oh the things you would do if you could leave a comment on every webpage…
“ah hahaha (you don’t know who it is)”
Ha! Yeah right.
“May I again suggest a grammar check and spellcheck.”
My answer:
“Eye have run this post threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.”
“In fact, I didn’t even mention what I thought of the criticism, I only noted that it had been received.” You missed the point! You weren’t being criticized, you were just being told the truth!
“I said it was “often” pointless” It most certainly is not “often” pointless…just think of how much you write, speak, etc. You use grammar (maybe not always proper grammar, which is quite unfortunate) every time you write and speak! Never thought of that did ya?? Ehh??
“As for it being confusing, well, I think there are many more people who would agree with me rather than you.” Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure of that. The only people that find it confusing are the ones that haven’t bothered to study and learn it in the first place.
“But then, if they were so understandable and easy to correctly use, there wouldn’t need to be website explain how to use them, would there? (hummmmm??)” Um, hello, but not everyone is born knowing correct grammar. Therefore, there are books, websites/pages, etc to teach it.
“If grammar was a serious thing, I would think many more people would take it seriously.” What do you mean “if grammar WAS a serious thing”??? Grammar IS a very serious thing and therefore every person should take it seriously!!!
“HA! The humor is what makes the site worth reading.” There’s not much I can say here other than this … I TOTALLY (as in 101%) DISAGREE WITH YOU!!!!
“Oh the things you would do if you could leave a comment on every webpage…” Hey!
“Ha! Yeah right.” But it’s true. You don’t know EXACTLY who it is. I mean you could probably make a good guess, but you can’t be absolutely certain.
“My answer:
“Eye have run this post threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.” ” I’m sorry. Your answer was not only grammatically incorrect, but you used all the wrong spellings for the words. Perhaps you should start studying grammar (and spelling) again.
“‘As for it being confusing, well, I think there are many more people who would agree with me rather than you.’ Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure of that. The only people that find it confusing are the ones that haven’t bothered to study and learn it in the first place.”
If you’re wanting to start a count, I am on the side of “understanding” and not on the side of “confusion”
Anonymous 2
I’m glad to hear of it!
Anonymous
P.S. And who might you be “Anonymous 2″ … if you care to say?
@ “Anonymous”
“You missed the point! You weren’t being criticized, you were just being told the truth!”
The truth (in this case) is criticism.
“”It most certainly is not “often” pointless…just think of how much you write, speak, etc. You use grammar (maybe not always proper grammar, which is quite unfortunate) every time you write and speak! Never thought of that did ya?? Ehh??”
I have in fact thought of “that”, and really, as long as my meaning is conveyed, why does it matter if I was grammatically correct in how I did so?
“Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure of that. The only people that find it confusing are the ones that haven’t bothered to study and learn it in the first place.”
Well we might just have to set up a poll and find out.
“Um, hello, but not everyone is born knowing correct grammar. Therefore, there are books, websites/pages, etc to teach it.”
Well of course there are books websites etc, but you see the whole reason this site is there, is because the majority of people (even though they’ve already been taught it by books websites etc) still fail to understand how to use it. Which (imo) proves it’s confusing.
“What do you mean “if grammar WAS a serious thing”??? Grammar IS a very serious thing and therefore every person should take it seriously!!!”
I look out and observe so many people who don’t take grammar seriously, so I say “Grammar is not a serious thing”. Grammar’s importance (imo) is defined by the way the majority of people treat it, where as you define grammar and then say people should treat it the way you define it (seriously).
“There’s not much I can say here other than this … I TOTALLY (as in 101%) DISAGREE WITH YOU!!!!”
Yeah, you never were one for humor…
“But it’s true. You don’t know EXACTLY who it is. I mean you could probably make a good guess, but you can’t be absolutely certain.
”
I can make a good guess just by what you wrote, how you wrote it, and the fact that you were compelled enough to write it. But I also have your email and IP address. So to call yourself “Anonymous” is pretty much pointless.
“I’m sorry. Your answer was not only grammatically incorrect, but you used all the wrong spellings for the words.”
I’m going to take that as a joke. (as my original “poem” reply was intended to be…)
“Perhaps you should start studying grammar (and spelling) again.”
I’ll also take that as a joke.
“And who might you be “Anonymous 2″”
Ha! Wouldn’t you just loooove to know that.
@ “Anonymous 2″
As if I don’t know who you are.
“The truth (in this case) is criticism.”
I could say “NO IT IS NOT!!!”, but I think that would be pointless. You’re seem to be stubbornly set on calling the truth criticism.
“I have in fact thought of “that”, and really, as long as my meaning is conveyed, why does it matter if I was grammatically correct in how I did so?”
ERRRRR!!! Because, if you use poor grammar everyone will think you are either uneducated, not very intelligent, or were too lazy to take the time to learn it.
“Well we might just have to set up a poll and find out.”
Yes, we just might.
“Well of course there are books websites etc, but you see the whole reason this site is there, is because the majority of people (even though they’ve already been taught it by books websites etc) still fail to understand how to use it. Which (imo) proves it’s confusing.”
No, they don’t fail to “understand how to use it” they FAILED TO LEARN IT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!
“I look out and observe so many people who don’t take grammar seriously, so I say “Grammar is not a serious thing”. Grammar’s importance (imo) is defined by the way the majority of people treat it, where as you define grammar and then say people should treat it the way you define it (seriously).”
If you want to join the uneducated, unintelligent, unlearned, crowd of people who don’t take grammar seriously, then go right ahead. I for one will not join you.
“Yeah, you never were one for humor…”
How would you know?
“I can make a good guess just by what you wrote, how you wrote it, and the fact that you were compelled enough to write it. But I also have your email and IP address. So to call yourself “Anonymous” is pretty much pointless.”
Eh, I think I’ll still stick with being anonymous. Anyway, as you said, you can make a “good guess” but you can’t be certain who this is.
“I’m going to take that as a joke. (as my original “poem” reply was intended to be…)”
I’m not surprised, but I am VERY ANNOYED! I DON”T JOKE, SO WHY WOULD I HAVE SAID SOMETHING THAT WAS A JOKE?!?!?!?!?!?!?
“I’ll also take that as a joke.”
Just a minute now! That’s only a lame way of saying that you couldn’t think of any way to respond. Isn’t it??? Hmmm??
“Ha! Wouldn’t you just loooove to know that.”
Yes, yes I would “loooove to know”, because if I knew who it was and I personally knew that person, then I could give them a high five the next time I saw them.
Anonymous
Heh, oops. I meant to say:
I could say “NO IT IS NOT!!!”, but I think that would be pointless. You seem to be stubbornly set on calling the truth criticism.
Please pardon the “You’re”.
Anonymous
Hum… from http://www.thefreedictionary.com: 1. To find fault with. “Criticize can mean merely to evaluate without necessarily finding fault; however, usually the word implies the expression of disapproval: The review criticized the novel.”
You evaluated, and found fault with, then you made a suggestion to “fix” the fault. Soooo, I “believe” that (according to this definition) that would be considered “criticism”.
“if you use poor grammar everyone will think you are either uneducated, not very intelligent, or were too lazy to take the time to learn it.”
Though this may be the general “rule”, I don’t think it’s true in *every* situation.
“they don’t fail to “understand how to use it” they FAILED TO LEARN IT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!”
But couldn’t the cause of it be that it’s confusing?
“If you want to join the uneducated, unintelligent, unlearned, crowd of people who don’t take grammar seriously, then go right ahead. I for one will not join you.”
How insulting! But I think you missed my point, I’m not saying that I’m “for” one “side” or the other, I’m just explaining why I question the importance of grammar (because I see many others doing the same).
“How would you know?”
I believe you know that answer.
“as you said, you can make a “good guess” but you can’t be certain who this is.”
Hum… sort of, but no. I said that “just by what you wrote, etc…” I could make a good guess, BUT that on top of all that I also have your IP and e-mail address, so I have no doubt who you are.
“I’m not surprised, but I am VERY ANNOYED! I DON”T JOKE, SO WHY WOULD I HAVE SAID SOMETHING THAT WAS A JOKE?!?!?!?!?!?!?”
True, I should have remembered that… but I took it as a joke because you were stating the obvious, and it was quite clear (imo at least) that my original reply was a joke.
“That’s only a lame way of saying that you couldn’t think of any way to respond. Isn’t it??? Hmmm??”
I really thought it was a joke, because as everyone should know, that is something I would NEVER do.(start studying spelling and grammar again)
“Yes, yes I would “loooove to know”, because if I knew who it was and I personally knew that person, then I could give them a high five the next time I saw them.
”
Ha! I for one will not give it away, but if this person should choose to reveal their identity themselves, I won’t hinder it.
-c@rl
You evaluated, and found fault with, then you made a suggestion to “fix” the fault. Soooo, I “believe” that (according to this definition) that would be considered “criticism”.”
Believe that if you must, but I never intended nor do intend to criticize your grammar or spelling. I was only trying to be helpful & nice.
“Though this may be the general “rule”, I don’t think it’s true in *every* situation.”
If people know you, they will not think you’re “uneducated, not very intelligent, or were too lazy to take the time to learn it”. But, if they don’t know you and happen to read your blog they very well just might.
“But couldn’t the cause of it be that it’s confusing?”
If you learn something, then it is no longer confusing. You understand it. That’s what learning means.
“How insulting! But I think you missed my point, I’m not saying that I’m “for” one “side” or the other, I’m just explaining why I question the importance of grammar (because I see many others doing the same).”
First off, I apologize if I have insulted you. That was not my intent. I’m just trying to get you to see that people WILL think you to be “uneducated, unintelligent, & unlearned” if you have poor grammar and spelling. (FYI, I do not, nor ever will, think that you are uneducated, unintelligent & unlearned nor was I calling you those things.) But, just because other people don’t take grammar seriously doesn’t mean that you should do the same. Learn to take a stand (don’t go along with everybody else and their opinions) even in minor areas.
“Hum… sort of, but no. I said that “just by what you wrote, etc…” I could make a good guess, BUT that on top of all that I also have your IP and e-mail address, so I have no doubt who you are.”
Ok fine, so you know who I am. I guess I don’t care as long as I stay anonymous to everybody else.
“it was quite clear (imo at least) that my original reply was a joke.”
I guess you also “failed” to remember that I don’t get jokes…at least I don’t get them 90% of the time.
“I really thought it was a joke, because as everyone should know, that is something I would NEVER do.(start studying spelling and grammar again)”
I’m very sorry to hear of it…the fact that you will NEVER start studying spelling and grammar again…but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
Anon
“I never intended nor do intend to criticize your grammar or spelling. I was only trying to be helpful & nice.”
Oh, well then I’m sorry I took it the wrong way.
“If people know you, they will not think you’re “uneducated, not very intelligent, or were too lazy to take the time to learn it”. But, if they don’t know you and happen to read your blog they very well just might.”
I guess I agree. And just FYI, I did run a spell check on this post, and did my best as far as grammar goes…
“If you learn something, then it is no longer confusing. You understand it. That’s what learning means.”
Look, grammar and spelling probably wouldn’t be confusing, IF there weren’t so many exceptions, rules, exceptions to the exceptions and so many words that are spelled the same but mean 2 completely different things. For an excellent example of some of them, I encourage you to visit this website: http://the_english_dept.tripod.com/eng.html
“First off, I apologize if I have insulted you. That was not my intent.”
Apology accepted.
“I’m just trying to get you to see that people WILL think you to be “uneducated, unintelligent, & unlearned” if you have poor grammar and spelling.”
Well then, I just need to find some one to review my post.
“(FYI, I do not, nor ever will, think that you are uneducated, unintelligent & unlearned nor was I calling you those things.)”
Thank you.
“But, just because other people don’t take grammar seriously doesn’t mean that you should do the same. Learn to take a stand (don’t go along with everybody else and their opinions) even in minor areas.”
When the majority is in the wrong, I don’t go along. (say… that rhymes =D )
“I guess you also “failed” to remember that I don’t get jokes…at least I don’t get them 90% of the time.”
Well, I forgot that it was more like 90% and thought it was more like 50%, so I figured you’d get that one.
“I’m very sorry to hear of it…the fact that you will NEVER start studying spelling and grammar again”
Come now, can you really even imagine me doing such a thing?
“…but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
Correct.
-c@rl
“Oh, well then I’m sorry I took it the wrong way.”
Well, don’t worry about it.
“And just FYI, I did run a spell check on this post, and did my best as far as grammar goes…”
It’s not bad. Just things here and there that could use some correction.
“Look, grammar and spelling probably wouldn’t be confusing, IF there weren’t so many exceptions, rules, exceptions to the exceptions and so many words that are spelled the same but mean 2 completely different things. For an excellent example of some of them, I encourage you to visit this website: http://the_english_dept.tripod.com/eng.html”
The exceptions make grammar and spelling all the more fun to learn…at least that’s what I think. And as for that site, it was quite humorous.
“Apology accepted.”
Thank you!!!
“Well then, I just need to find some one to review my post.”
That’s a good idea.
“When the majority is in the wrong, I don’t go along. (say… that rhymes =D )”
I would also hope that when the MINORITY is in the wrong, you don’t go along.
“Well, I forgot that it was more like 90% and thought it was more like 50%, so I figured you’d get that one.”
Ok, maybe it isn’t 90%, but it’s definitely no less than 75% and I have examples to prove it.
“Come now, can you really even imagine me doing such a thing?”
I can imagine it if you were forced to.
Anon
“Well, don’t worry about it.”
I won’t.
“It’s not bad. Just things here and there that could use some correction.”
Good to know.
“…at least that’s what I think.”
Ahh, finally a disclaimer.
“And as for that site, it was quite humorous.”
Your humor comprehension level just went up a little…
“I would also hope that when the MINORITY is in the wrong, you don’t go along.”
I try to make it a point to do the correct thing no matter who is “leading” the way.
“I can imagine it if you were forced to.”
I hope it never comes to that.
-c@rl
Well, Anonymous, I do believe we know each other, but it will probably be some time before you could give me a high five!
I would gladly reveal myself to you, but I don’t want reveal myself to everyone else that my be reading this post. Therefore we will have to content ourselves with trying to find each other offline!
“I really thought it was a joke, because as everyone should know, that is something I would NEVER do.(start studying spelling and grammar again)”
Well, that really is too bad C@rl. One should NEVER stop trying to learn things, especially grammar! Because grammar is something that we will use for the rest of our lives, we should at least TRY to learn it correctly.
It’s really annoying that it is practically impossible to keep my identity secret from c@rl, even if I put in an email address that he doesn’t know is mine!!!!!
-Anonymous 2
“but it will probably be some time before you could give me a high five”
Lol, not quite as long as you thought. So “Anonymous” and “Anonymous 2″, did you take the recent opportunity you had to celebrate your common view point? (by giving a high five)
“Well, that really is too bad C@rl. One should NEVER stop trying to learn things, especially grammar! Because grammar is something that we will use for the rest of our lives, we should at least TRY to learn it correctly.”
Do I hear an echo? (jk) Okay, I get the point, I sort of agree, but I will not be making a concentrated effort to improve in that area. However, I will allow my spell checker to (slowly but surely) influence my spelling abilities.
“It’s really annoying that it is practically impossible to keep my identity secret from c@rl, even if I put in an email address that he doesn’t know is mine!!!!!”
