Gammar Nazi's, In 'ere Please!

[mctiny]

OK, I need a little help with "Apostrophes" (') and the correct use of them.

I understand the basic rules of the apostrophe but there are some exceptions to this rule, for which I'm trying to find out "why?"

Example:
The book title...
The book's title...

Both are correct (?) and found in English grammar books, but why is the second example OK, if "book" (object) can not have possessions.

 

[Tom0]

The books title.

The book's title = The book is title.

Edit: no wait thats wrong... weeirrd *brain melts*

 

[camels5]

Try this website a bit basic but it does help.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/

 

[Ghosteh]

The book is called something, so I would imagine it's technically in possession of something? *shrugs*

 

[Lamo]

The book is called something, so I would imagine it's technically in possession of something? *shrugs*

thats what i would have thought as well

 

[Deleted member 651465]

Just use (or word) the phrase in a different manner.

Example; The following book has the title xxx

I'd probably say "book's title"

 

[Tom0]

Just use (or word) the phrase in a different manner.

Example; The following book has the title xxx

I'd probably say "book's title"

Feasible.

 

[Snakedoctor]

Surely that is not correct English? Should it not read "The title of the book"?

 

[mctiny]

I'm not looking for basic rules these are understood.
I'm also not talking about omitting letters/words.

I thought it would be something about possession but objects cannot have possessions, can they?

although is it OK to say the book's title because it is not the object we are concerned with but is in fact the title we are concerned with?

 

[mctiny]

Surely that is not correct English? Should it not read "The title of the book"?

According to English Grammar books it is in fact correct. you can say "the title of the book" as well.

 

[jas72]

Surely that is not correct English? Should it not read "The title of the book"?

Is

I was working with John's son

or should it be The son of John

 

[Sic]

Both are correct (?) and found in English grammar books, but why is the second example OK, if "book" (object) can not have possessions.

yes, both are correct.

book title is a noun, and book's title is showing that a book possesses a title, which is currently being referred to.

wait; book cannot have possessions? not entirely sure I follow - the second is correct because the apostrophe indicates the book's possession of a title.

 

[Deleted member 651465]

That's what I was thinking;

The book has a title, therefore - "The book's title" seems correct (to me)

 

[Mad old tory]

It seems to be right to me too.

 

[Nymins]

The books title.

The book's title = The book is title.

Edit: no wait thats wrong... weeirrd *brain melts*

I think your right. The position of the ' would indicate an "is".

I would normally say, "The books title".

 

[jakeke]

I'd say 'The book's title' using a possessive apostrophe, since the title is something that belongs to the book. If I'm wrong I need to re-think on my basic grammar

 

[Tom0]

No wonder English is one of the hardest language to learn... crazyness.

 

[Masterdog]

No, it's 'The book's title'. If there wasn't an apostrophe, it would be 'The books title' and you wouldn't be sure if we were referring to one book or many books (except for the fact that 'title' is singular, but it works for 'pages' as well).
The confusion about apostrophes arises from the fact that 'its' doesn't have a possessive apostrophe.

 

[Sic]

I think your right. The position of the ' would indicate an "is".

I would normally say, "The books title".

you're wrong. The apostrophe can be used to substitute a missing letter(s) or to show possession

 

[Nymins]

you're wrong. The apostrophe can be used to substitute a missing letter(s) or to show possession

Ah i see. Learn something everyday