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Use of apostrophes can vary with the context of the sentence
Reader: Shouldn’t it have been “Thomas’s trips ...”?
—Craig Holland Managing Editor Logan Molen: You’re referring to our front-page headline Tuesday that read, “Thomas’ trips draw notice.” The Associated Press Stylebook calls for only an apostrophe after singular proper nouns ending in “s.” However, the stylebook recommends “ ’s” for singular common nouns ending in “s” — unless the following word begins with “s.” For example, “the hostess’s invitation” but “the hostess’ seat.” Confused? The theory is that simplifying usage with proper nouns and a logjam of “S’s” eases interpretation of the overall sentence. 8 comments from 6 users
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posted by
bakonative
on Jun 29, 2006 at 01:25 AM
Help. I've never understood this. More examples please - in regular English writing? If I were to say the Thomas (s) are coming to dinner... where does that apostrophe go? I address Christmas cards to "The Smiths" ?
The Thomas (s) want to go shopping? posted by
bakonative
on Jun 29, 2006 at 01:26 AM
And what's a logjam? Never heard of that in school!
posted by
anonymous
on Jun 29, 2006 at 01:28 AM
Sigh, I should have done this anoyomously so no one would know...... oh well.
posted by
Termite
on Jun 29, 2006 at 11:53 AM
You would say "The Thomases want to go shopping." "The Thomases are coming to dinner " (no apostrophe anywhere...not needed). This is sort of an exception, however, because of the name ending in S. It might be easier to think of the Smiths. "The Smiths want to go shopping." "The Smiths are coming to dinner."Yes, you would address Christmas cards to "The Smiths," or "The Thomases" as far as I know. Apostrophes in the sentences cited above are used to make a word a possessive noun...and I don't believe an apostrophe is ever used to indicate plurals (although I see it all over the place, and it makes me cringe). Right, Logan? Oh, and you are kidding about the logjam, right? posted by
soundoff
on Jun 30, 2006 at 11:45 AM
Termite/Bakonative/anonymous, I'm unaware of any English-language use of apostrophes to indicate plurals. And regarding logjam, I was trying to find a word that described a bunch of identical letters crammed into one spot, making it hard for the brain to visually absorb. It's no technical term, but I think it's descriptive and accurate. Maybe not. ... --Logan Molen lmolen@bakersfield.com posted by
bakonative
on Jul 4, 2006 at 02:45 AM
I guess I need to go back to college English courses. And no, I truly have no idea what a logjam is, guess I will go to dictionary.com. It's been a looonnnggg time since I was in school.... posted by
lmolen
on Jul 10, 2006 at 08:33 PM
The singular Thomas ends in "s," which warrants the "es" when it becomes plural. The singular Smith gets the "s" when it becomes plural. As for logjam, try this definition. posted by
tonyh
on Jul 25, 2006 at 10:17 PM
Erik,
You're right. Every specific region in the U.S. has certain iddaties in their speech. In the South, "Y'all" is a singular. "All Y'all" is a plural. In Ohio and parts of Indiana, they say "You'uns" for a plural. In the Eastern (Ne wEngland) States they sat "Yous'"
The Kern County jargen is heavily influenced (but not totally) by Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.
I really enjoy it. Since I've lived all over the U.S., I've had people try and guess where I'm from. They almost always get it wrong. The only people who guess right are people FROM KERN COUNTY.
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