Adult literacy for the epic win...
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From: Yorba Linda, CA
Originally Posted by foxy_s2k,Sep 16 2009, 10:17 AM
Magician, the dropping of the apostrophe on possessive pronouns is a result of modern (or business) English. At least that's what I was taught, if you know different and you are sure, then I'll bow to your assessment . . . .
Originally Posted by foxy_s2k,Sep 16 2009, 10:17 AM
. . . I'm not a literature major, or anything like it. In fact, I did not even go to University.
I, for one, support your thesis. You made a few errors which I highlighted - mainly in jest - but the fact remains that people write (and speak) atrociously.
Originally Posted by foxy_s2k,Sep 16 2009, 10:17 AM
In my case, I have become fluent in Greek in the last 5 years . . . .
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Originally Posted by foxy_s2k,Sep 16 2009, 08:30 AM
RARE are the cases when using an 'S' in a word, in which an apostrophe is required. Only when combining two words, such as "it is" to "it's", and only when the noun belongs to the subject of the sentence [This is a sentence fragment. You'd need something like "is an apostrophe required" at the end to make this a sentence. Also, you should have used "or" instead of "and"]. eg This is Jane's ball ["e.g." needs dots after each letter]. Pluralising, eg Illiterate to Illiterates ["e.g." needs the dots after each letter, and you need quotation marks around "Illiterate" and "Illiterates"], does not need an apostrophe. F'ING EVER (note also correct use of apostrophe when abbreviating).
I only forgive you and apologise for this post, [no comma necessary here] if you are dyslexic or otherwise language challenged.
By all means[,] tell me what a pedantic asshat I am, but it really bothers me intensely that the written word is being butchered beyond belief daily. I see it as possibly one of the biggest indicators of devolution. I was taught this stuff when I was 9 years old[,] FFS. I wouldn't have passed my exams if I had punctuated as some do. Don't tell me 'this is a forum', etc. Cos that isn't valid when your mistakes are not due to being quick or abbreviating, but bastardising the language due to lack of education, such as inappropriate use of apostrophes which I swear 50% of people do.
The funny part is that apostrophes have been further removed from business English. For example, it is normal not to put an apostophe in the word "it's" in business correspondence.
Don't EVEN get me started on the atrocious spelling and grammar. Communication is what separates us from the animals and why we rule this planet and not tigers.
For god's sake people, READ BOOKS (note again correct use of apostrophe in case of possession. Non-capitalisation of the word god is deliberate on my part).
I only forgive you and apologise for this post, [no comma necessary here] if you are dyslexic or otherwise language challenged.
By all means[,] tell me what a pedantic asshat I am, but it really bothers me intensely that the written word is being butchered beyond belief daily. I see it as possibly one of the biggest indicators of devolution. I was taught this stuff when I was 9 years old[,] FFS. I wouldn't have passed my exams if I had punctuated as some do. Don't tell me 'this is a forum', etc. Cos that isn't valid when your mistakes are not due to being quick or abbreviating, but bastardising the language due to lack of education, such as inappropriate use of apostrophes which I swear 50% of people do.
The funny part is that apostrophes have been further removed from business English. For example, it is normal not to put an apostophe in the word "it's" in business correspondence.
Don't EVEN get me started on the atrocious spelling and grammar. Communication is what separates us from the animals and why we rule this planet and not tigers.
For god's sake people, READ BOOKS (note again correct use of apostrophe in case of possession. Non-capitalisation of the word god is deliberate on my part).
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From: Yorba Linda, CA
Originally Posted by my2ks2k,Sep 16 2009, 10:54 AM
you mean differently
If he were referring to how I know something, then he would correctly write that I know differently.
He appears to be referring to what I know, not the manner in which I know it; in that case, he would correctly write that I know different (in essence, it's shorthand for "I know [that it is] different").
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From: Yorba Linda, CA
Originally Posted by C U AT 9K,Sep 16 2009, 11:36 AM
You forgot when the name ends in an s
James'
James'
I was taught as you no doubt were that it should be "James'", but the acknowledged authorities on written English disagree.
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From: nc
Originally Posted by magician,Sep 16 2009, 03:24 PM
He probably doesn't.
If he were referring to how I know something, then he would correctly write that I know differently.
He appears to be referring to what I know, not the manner in which I know it; in that case, he would correctly write that I know different (in essence, it's shorthand for "I know [that it is] different").
If he were referring to how I know something, then he would correctly write that I know differently.
He appears to be referring to what I know, not the manner in which I know it; in that case, he would correctly write that I know different (in essence, it's shorthand for "I know [that it is] different").
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From: Brit in Athens, Greece
Originally Posted by tarheel91,Sep 16 2009, 09:23 PM
Couldn't resist.
Magician, thanks for the support. Greek is a beautiful and expressive, as well as concise and efficient language, I hope you get the opportunity to learn it one day. 400,000 words, EXCLUDING scientific and medical, which are also 90% Greek! Formidable language.