With all these questions about apostrophes, when in God's name will they start teaching how to use them at school? My school taught me f**** all about them. I learnt all I know from the book Eats Shoots and Leaves.
It's a widespread problem; just look on Ebay for ladies' watches. You'll need to look all day to find one with the apostrophe in the correct place. It's the same if you search for '60s items. Most buffoons put 60's!
2006-09-25 07:43:54 · 28 answers · asked by Terror Storm-see on Google Video 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Well well well...the misinformation and grammatical butchery in the responses supports your case, eh? I agree that we are graduating trainloads of ignorant and semi-literate people. If you look at other questions in this category, you will see more examples of misuse by supposedly educated people who are teaching our young. Scary, isn't it?
But I gave up ranting about it long ago. There's no point in complaining here, since the majority of users don't get it, or don't consider it important in a venue like this one.
2006-09-25 14:21:54 · answer #1 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, when talking about the plural years in a decade (as in the 60's or 70's), it is entirely acceptable to both use or not use an apostrophe (see sources below). Indeed, students attending school prior to about the late 60's were often taught an apostrophe was actually required in this case (without a proceeding apostrophe to indicate a contraction of the number since it is obvious in this situation). Many editors, publishers, and teachers, still prefer the use of apostrophes in this manner today.
Ultimately, contrary to the opinions of some school teachers, there are no hard and fixed grammatical or typographical rules. The English language is constantly changing, with the rules changing along with that. As such, this entire discussion is somewhat academic.
2006-09-25 08:25:52 · answer #2 · answered by Dwight S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good grief, I can't believe someone is ranting about apostrophes. Well, apart from get a life I need to say that if someone on E-bay is selling a 1960's car/jumper, whatever, that the apostrophe is correct in this case because 's is a possessive apostrophe: It is belonging to the sixties. Do not start ranting about punctuation, otherwise we will need to look for the grammatical correctness of your sentences (hint - I learned, such picky beggars!!!!)
2006-09-25 11:49:18 · answer #3 · answered by bessie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The teaching of English in our schools today does seem to be falling down on grammar in general and I wonder if spelling is taught at all!! 60's, however, is also correct as it can refer to things belonging to the '60s, eg., 60's clothes, 60's music, etc. The apostrophe indicates ownership by that decade.
2006-09-25 08:03:27 · answer #4 · answered by uknative 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I started writing my biography and the lady who checked my work said I scattered commas around like confetti?
I bought books on grammar, asked an English teacher but to no avail.
!,300 A5 pages later and with loads of re writes I am almost there.
So here goes.
60's and '60s transpose grammatically like this.
60's means the next word or sentence belongs to 60
'60s is the plural of the years something something 60
Sixties' is the same as 60's except you don't put two ss on it.
She will be proud of my effort and I am going to copy this to
her now.
I hope I'm right?
2006-09-26 04:45:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tend to agree with you and always teach proper punctuation. The Government seem to have taken the hint as the new Foundation Skillswhich are about totake over from key skills do place great emphasis on proper grammar, spelling and punctuation. To all your detractors, I say,what is wrong withwanting to be able to communicate accurately and effectively, which is what proper punctuaion enables you to do.
2006-09-25 10:24:57 · answer #6 · answered by JANE F 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I understand how irritating it is to see so many grammatical errors and poor spelling. I worked at a school once and the Head of English informed me that their policy on spelling was that as long as the main thrust of text could be understood ,thats all that mattered. I asked a similar question on 'answers' and met with the predictable , misspelt ,abusive response. Lets hear it for spellers!!
2006-09-25 07:58:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Whilst I agree entirely with your comments about the mis-use of the apostrophe, what exactly is your question?
2006-09-25 07:53:04 · answer #8 · answered by blondie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a life. All the s**t that's going on in the world and your ranting and raving about apostrophes !!!!! Are you for real or is this a wind up, take a chill pill or you will die of a heart attack before you draw your pension.
2006-09-25 07:49:02 · answer #9 · answered by 90210 aka Hummer Lover 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Oh dear -physician heal thyself-
surely you mean a 'lady's watch' ; 'ladies' is a plural and has nothing to do with the apostrophe.
2006-09-25 10:32:49 · answer #10 · answered by Safety First 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋