Basic english question - apostrophe use

Guest2 · 6 May 2010 at 15:35

I know this is a very basic question but I dont really know sometimes

I thought you use 's instead of is, for shortening something.

Example

Pete's going to the park

However what do you use here, nothing or s'

Petes' wallet

Or

Here are some examples

Gustov · 6 May 2010 at 15:36

Also used to declare possession

Pete's wallet.

K1LLSW1TCH · 6 May 2010 at 15:38

The second one, I would say that the apostrophe is showing the wallet belongs to Pete. I think that's right although no doubt someone will pop along and give you a 100% answer.

Django x2 · 6 May 2010 at 15:39

Yar, It's Pete's wallet.

But, if you have "the cat sat on its mat", there is no apostrophe

mjt · 6 May 2010 at 15:40

Apostrophes are used for three main reasons.

- They replace letters in contracted forms.
eg. can't (= cannot) or Pete's going to the park (Pete is)

- Possessives.
eg. The girl's father or Pete's wallet

- Words which do not usually have a plural form sometimes have an apostrophe when the plural form is written.
eg. He writes b's instead of d's.

Nix · 6 May 2010 at 15:40

Pete's Wallet

Petes' Wallet would imply that his name is 'Petes'.

Geckovich · 6 May 2010 at 15:40

Also:

The girl's house = One girl who has a house.

&

The girls' house = The house of many girls.

K1LLSW1TCH · 6 May 2010 at 15:41

Gustov said:
Also used to declare possession

Pete's wallet.

Lucero said:
Yar, It's Pete's wallet.

But, if you have "the cat sat on its mat", there is no apostrophe

And that's why the OP shouldn't listen to me, seeing as I only achieved two D's in English.

nin9abadga · 6 May 2010 at 15:58

here's a link for you:

http://www.copywriting-on-demand.com/apostrophe_how_to_use_the_apostrophy.htm

Guest2 · 6 May 2010 at 17:15

Nix said:
Pete's Wallet

Petes' Wallet would imply that his name is 'Petes'.

So is that if the wallets name is Pete? I never really know when you use Petes'

I feel sorry for foreign people. (even though most of the world speaks it, at least they dont have to write it)

Kenai · 6 May 2010 at 17:18

Guest2 said:
So is that if the wallets name is Pete? I never really know when you use Petes'

I don't think you would ever use Petes' but you would use Ross' (as opposed to Ross's) in the same scenario you would use Pete's. Basically if the name ends in an S.

Richie · 6 May 2010 at 17:27

Yah, the ' at the very end of the word for possessive terms is used when the actual word ends in an "s"

Ross' as opposed to Ross's
Boss' as opposed to Boss's

Note, only possessive terms IIRC as plural of Boss is Bosses e.g.

Thats the boss' parking space
There are too many bloody bosses in this place

See ??

Guest2 · 6 May 2010 at 17:30

So "My boss' going to the beach"

"My bosses wallet"

Never "My boss's going for a walk"

csmager · 6 May 2010 at 17:42

Richie said:
Yah, the ' at the very end of the word for possessive terms is used when the actual word ends in an "s"

Ross' as opposed to Ross's
Boss' as opposed to Boss's

It's actually either, but usual style is to include the extra S when it's pronounced. So it would be included in both those cases.

e.g. The Times under 'Apostrophes'
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tools_and_services/specials/style_guide/article986718.ece

csmager · 6 May 2010 at 17:44

Guest2 said:
So "My boss' going to the beach"

"My bosses wallet"

Never "My boss's going for a walk"

None of those are correct.

My boss's going to the beach (my boss is going, contraction)

My boss's wallet (the wallet of my boss, possessive)

My boss's going for a walk (my boss is going, contraction)

EDIT: Not entirely sure the first and last are correct either. "My boss is" is surely pronounced the same way as "My boss's". Though it could be very subtle.

Randomface74 · 6 May 2010 at 17:50

I've always found the word "its" a pet-peeve. It declares posession, but does not use an apos.

mistercrabb · 6 May 2010 at 18:26

I find it easier to think of possessives as another kind of contraction:

Pete's house = Pete, his house.

Then you only have to remember one rule.

Randomface74 · 6 May 2010 at 19:03

I like the out-of-touch examples.

Dis weed belongs to Dezzer, so it's like Dezzer's weed m8.

Tess' **** are f'ing massive ain't they? I'd reckon 'bout 69 double-d's.

Gustov · 6 May 2010 at 20:00

For those who don't know the it's/its rule, read here!

If you can say it is for example, It is hot today The you can write It's hot today.

However if you can't say it is, for example the rabbit got into its (not it is) cage, then you use no apostrophe!

csmager · 6 May 2010 at 20:04

Gustov said:
However if you can't say it is, for example the rabbit got into its (not it is) cage, then you use no apostrophe!

Or it has.

e.g. it's come to my attention that...