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Apostrophe Catastrophe

Below:
1. Apostrophe Catastrophe
2. Lunch ’n’ Learn seminars
3. HR Monthly article: "Writing Wrongs"

The apostrophe is the most abused, confused punctuation mark of all. Use it incorrectly and this small mark can cause you big embarrassment.

Is it “the cats pyjamas,” “the cat ’s pyjamas,” or “the cats’ pyjamas”? “Its a nice day” or “It’s a nice day”? “DVDs” or “DVD’s”? The bind moggles.

(See some real-life howlers at the
Apostrophe Protection Society.)

Apostrophes are actually pretty straightforward. They have two main uses:

  1. To show one or more letters are missing, e.g. “It’s a nice day.” The apostrophe here stands in place of the missing “i" in “It is”. Other examples: don’t (for “do not”), can’t (for “cannot”), and won’t (for “will not”).
  2. To show something belongs to something else (i.e. the possessive use), e.g. “The dog’s bones.” That’s the singular version, meaning the bones belong to just one dog. If there were two or more dogs, it becomes “The dogs’ bones” (the plural version).

It's exceptional
 The exception to the rule that tricks many, is “its.” You could be tempted to write, “The cat hurt it’s leg,” because the “leg” belongs to “it,” the cat, and you'd be obeying the possessive rule in point 2 above, right?

Wrong. The correct version is, “The cat hurt its leg,” because the exception to the rule is “its.” Remember this:

ONLY use an apostrophe in “it's” when it means “it is.”

DVD’s or DVDs?
Let’s see how good a student you are. Using what you learned above, vote here on which DVD version is right.

As soon as you vote you'll get the answer. I’ll share the poll results next month.

See you then!

Paul and Petrina

   
 

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get “Well done!”

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Do you write Old Style or New?

Keep it short, sport

Fat-free writing tips

It's all about YOU!
   

 
Paul sig  

BRAIN GYM: Use your word processor’s “Search” function to find apostrophes in the last piece you wrote (i.e. search for “ ’ ”). Run them through the rules above. Have YOU abused defenceless apostrophes?

Need help? Call the RSPCA
(Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty
to Apostrophes): 02 9427 3127

  

Lunch 'n' Learn!

A 45-minute lunchtime seminar in your office is an excellent way to sharpen your writing, your mind and your business results. We guarantee you’ll love them!

Which of these does your team need most?

  1. Ignite Your Writing & Results
    — Secrets of persuasive business writing
  2. Tame the Email Beast
    — Get control, get opened, get actioned
  3. Written-off Opportunities? — How employee writing affects competitive advantage
  4. Influence at Your Fingertips
    — Influential writing for business leaders
  5. Go Write to the Top — Writing insights for ambitious EAs (Executive Assistants)
  6. Pitching on Paper
    — Hike your proposal “hit” rates

“Great topic; interesting and challenging content.”
“Excellent slides, material and presentation.”
“Entertaining, knowledgeable, relevant.”
International Coach Federation

More info (website)
Please call to explain more (email)

_________________________________________________

Our HR Monthly article: Writing Wrongs

Recently HR Monthly published Paul’s article with tips on excellent business writing. This short read could really boost your credibility!

Get it here (95kb PDF)

 Does your writing need a workout?

Magneto Communications Pty Ltd

Phone/fax 1300 658 580

www.magneto.net.au
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