OK, I thought I knew English pretty well but I am not sure about this. I have a PowerPoint assignment and have to correct any grammar or spelling mistakes, etc.
The title is
Seniors' Seminars
Quilting
Quilts made from donated fabrics
Sewing machines provided
T'ai Chi
Gentle warm-ups
Etc.....
I want to say that it should read Senior's Seminars but I am questioning myself. Can anyone help me?
Thanks.
Just a wild guess-----If it's not a contraction and it's not possessive, does it need an apostrophe?
Even though my education level is not even in the same universe as those who you seek I am certain that "seniors' " signifies the plural form and "senior's" signifies a singular senior citizen.
Waysider, I can't change the order of the words. Your wording makes more sense. Thanks for your input.
Jeff & Oakspear, I am following you on what you are saying. The assignments are tricky and I nitpick too much probably. Attention to detail. Blah blah blah!!
I will go with it. I will let you know what happens!!
Act2 said she "can't change the order of the words." (I presume that this means she is not allowed to do so, not that she is incapable of the act.) Therefore, this is a matter of the proper punctuation.
George, you are right on both counts. I would have changed it to Seminars for Seniors if I could.
George Aar, as always, you being you!!
Kimberly and krys, I agree but I can't change the order of the words....
I also have Adults' Seminars with things for them to do and Teens' Seminars with activities for them. The teens are going to have fun, sailing a 30' boat. heehee.
I really love PowerPoint so far. This is for my Computer Literacy class, chapter 1. I also have PowerPoint in my Microcomputer Applications class, which is chapters 6-10.
I will learn Access and Outlook also in these two classes by Dec. 4!! Then I will be free until January when I take Principles of Marketing and English 101. Guess I should have taken English 101 first!!!!!!!!!!!
Ironic. This topic is being discussed on another website. I'll post it here for you. :)
"Hello.
Wrong: I played Bobs banjo.
Right: I played Bob's banjo.
The most common mistake is the use of an apostrophe to indicate a plural noun.
Wrong: 5 banjo's for sale.
Right: 5 banjos for sale.
Wrong: I drive car's for a living.
Right: I drive cars for a living.
Rule 1. Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed.
Examples: don't, isn't
You're right.
She's a great teacher.
Rule 2. Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession.
Examples: one boy's hat
one woman's hat
one actress's hat
one child's hat
Ms. Chang's house
NOTE: Although names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form, it is preferred.
Mr. Jones's golf clubs
Texas's weather
Ms. Straus's daughter
Jose Sanchez's artwork
Dr. Hastings's appointment (name is Hastings)
Mrs. Lees's books (name is Lees)
Rule 3. Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied.
Example: This was his father's, not his, jacket.
Rule 4. To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe.
Examples: two boys' hats
two women's hats
two actresses' hats
two children's hats
the Changs' house
the Joneses' golf clubs
the Strauses' daughter
the Sanchezes' artwork
the Hastingses' appointment
the Leeses' books
Rule 5. Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name.
Examples: We visited the Sanchezes in Los Angeles.
The Changs have two cats and a dog.
Rule 6. With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word.
Example: my mother-in-law's hat
Rule 7. If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then
use the apostrophe.
Example: my two brothers-in-law's hats
Rule 8. Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item.
Examples: Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.
Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed
next year.
Indicates separate ownership.
Caesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
Indicates joint ownership of more than one contract.
Rule 9. Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe.
Examples:
Correct:
This book is hers, not yours.
Incorrect: Sincerely your's.
Rule 10. The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is or it has.
Examples: It's a nice day.
It's your right to refuse the invitation.
It's been great getting to know you.
Rule 11. The plurals for capital letters and numbers used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes.
Examples:
She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.
She learned her ABCs.
the 1990s not the 1990's
the '90s or the mid-'70s not the '90's or the mid-'70's
She learned her times tables for 6s and 7s.
Exception: Use apostrophes with capital letters and numbers when the meaning would be unclear otherwise.
Examples: Please dot your i's.
You don't mean is.
Ted couldn't distinguish between her 6's and 0's.
You don't mean Os.
Rule 12. Use the possessive case in front of a gerund (-ing word).
Examples: Alex's skating was a joy to behold.
This does not stop Joan's inspecting of our facilities
next Thursday.
Rule 13. If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form
of that pronoun.
Examples: I appreciate your inviting me to dinner.
I appreciated his working with me to resolve the conflict."
Rule 8 has a problem if one of the nouns is replaced by a pronoun, and I'm not sure of the correct resolution.
Suppose we were already talking about Cesar. Would one say, "He and Maribel's house"; or, "His and Maribel's house"; or (this strikes me as being the worst option) "Him and Maribel's house"?
(Replacing Maribel by her isn't as problematic. I'm sure the correct form there would be "Cesar and her house", though "Cesar's and her house" has a better ring to it.) Again, if separate items are being discussed, there isn't as big a problem: "His and Maribel's job contracts" or "Cesar's and her job contracts" work just fine.
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waysider
Just a wild guess-----If it's not a contraction and it's not possessive, does it need an apostrophe?
Why not "Seminars for Seniors"?
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JeffSjo
Hi Act2,
Even though my education level is not even in the same universe as those who you seek I am certain that "seniors' " signifies the plural form and "senior's" signifies a singular senior citizen.
:)
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Oakspear
1. Seniors = more than one senior (plural)
2. Senior's = relating or belonging to a senior (singular possessive)
3. Seniors' = relating or belonging to more than one senior (plural possessive)
I believe that either #1 or #3 would be grammatically correct, but that #1 would follow popular usage.
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act2
Waysider, I can't change the order of the words. Your wording makes more sense. Thanks for your input.
Jeff & Oakspear, I am following you on what you are saying. The assignments are tricky and I nitpick too much probably. Attention to detail. Blah blah blah!!
I will go with it. I will let you know what happens!!
thanks.
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Watered Garden
Retired grammar police agrees with Oakspear.
WG
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act2
Thanks, WG. Sometimes I try too hard to find mistakes!!
The assignment won't be graded till after nov. 6th. I will post after I get my grade!!
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batcave
That's whut my grammer woulda said!
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GeorgeStGeorge
If "Seminars for Seniors" is the meaning, then go with
"Seniors' Seminars"
George
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George Aar
Well, if we wanted to get real anal about it,
What did the quilts make? What did the sewing machines provide?
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kimberly
I vote with Seminars for Seniors. That is to the point.
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krys
I also prefer Seminars for Seniors. It flows better.
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GeorgeStGeorge
Act2 said she "can't change the order of the words." (I presume that this means she is not allowed to do so, not that she is incapable of the act.) Therefore, this is a matter of the proper punctuation.
George
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act2
batcave, you are funny. Thanks for the laugh.
George, you are right on both counts. I would have changed it to Seminars for Seniors if I could.
George Aar, as always, you being you!!
Kimberly and krys, I agree but I can't change the order of the words....
I also have Adults' Seminars with things for them to do and Teens' Seminars with activities for them. The teens are going to have fun, sailing a 30' boat. heehee.
I really love PowerPoint so far. This is for my Computer Literacy class, chapter 1. I also have PowerPoint in my Microcomputer Applications class, which is chapters 6-10.
I will learn Access and Outlook also in these two classes by Dec. 4!! Then I will be free until January when I take Principles of Marketing and English 101. Guess I should have taken English 101 first!!!!!!!!!!!
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Raf
Seniors' Seminars would be a series of seminars for seniors.
Senior's Seminars would be a series of seminars for one guy, about to graduate high school. :)
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WordWolf
Unless that one guy was running a series of seminars,
or the seminars were being run by a man whose last name is "Senior."
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act2
Raf and Wordwolf, you are both correct!!!! :)
Thanks for all the input. I don't think I will ever question this scenario again!!!
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waysider
If you are a senior, you probably remember THIS "senior".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AaIDmiFXmo
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dmiller
Ironic. This topic is being discussed on another website. I'll post it here for you. :)
"Hello.
Wrong: I played Bobs banjo.
Right: I played Bob's banjo.
The most common mistake is the use of an apostrophe to indicate a plural noun.
Wrong: 5 banjo's for sale.
Right: 5 banjos for sale.
Wrong: I drive car's for a living.
Right: I drive cars for a living.
Rule 1. Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed.
Examples: don't, isn't
You're right.
She's a great teacher.
Rule 2. Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession.
Examples: one boy's hat
one woman's hat
one actress's hat
one child's hat
Ms. Chang's house
NOTE: Although names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form, it is preferred.
Mr. Jones's golf clubs
Texas's weather
Ms. Straus's daughter
Jose Sanchez's artwork
Dr. Hastings's appointment (name is Hastings)
Mrs. Lees's books (name is Lees)
Rule 3. Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied.
Example: This was his father's, not his, jacket.
Rule 4. To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe.
Examples: two boys' hats
two women's hats
two actresses' hats
two children's hats
the Changs' house
the Joneses' golf clubs
the Strauses' daughter
the Sanchezes' artwork
the Hastingses' appointment
the Leeses' books
Rule 5. Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name.
Examples: We visited the Sanchezes in Los Angeles.
The Changs have two cats and a dog.
Rule 6. With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word.
Example: my mother-in-law's hat
Rule 7. If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then
use the apostrophe.
Example: my two brothers-in-law's hats
Rule 8. Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item.
Examples: Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.
Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed
next year.
Indicates separate ownership.
Caesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
Indicates joint ownership of more than one contract.
Rule 9. Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe.
Examples:
Correct:
This book is hers, not yours.
Incorrect: Sincerely your's.
Rule 10. The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is or it has.
Examples: It's a nice day.
It's your right to refuse the invitation.
It's been great getting to know you.
Rule 11. The plurals for capital letters and numbers used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes.
Examples:
She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.
She learned her ABCs.
the 1990s not the 1990's
the '90s or the mid-'70s not the '90's or the mid-'70's
She learned her times tables for 6s and 7s.
Exception: Use apostrophes with capital letters and numbers when the meaning would be unclear otherwise.
Examples: Please dot your i's.
You don't mean is.
Ted couldn't distinguish between her 6's and 0's.
You don't mean Os.
Rule 12. Use the possessive case in front of a gerund (-ing word).
Examples: Alex's skating was a joy to behold.
This does not stop Joan's inspecting of our facilities
next Thursday.
Rule 13. If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form
of that pronoun.
Examples: I appreciate your inviting me to dinner.
I appreciated his working with me to resolve the conflict."
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GeorgeStGeorge
Rule 8 has a problem if one of the nouns is replaced by a pronoun, and I'm not sure of the correct resolution.
Suppose we were already talking about Cesar. Would one say, "He and Maribel's house"; or, "His and Maribel's house"; or (this strikes me as being the worst option) "Him and Maribel's house"?
(Replacing Maribel by her isn't as problematic. I'm sure the correct form there would be "Cesar and her house", though "Cesar's and her house" has a better ring to it.) Again, if separate items are being discussed, there isn't as big a problem: "His and Maribel's job contracts" or "Cesar's and her job contracts" work just fine.
George
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act2
Thanks, dmiller, I will probably refer to your post next semester when taking English 101.
George, our language can be complicated sometimes, can't it??
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kimberly
Well, there ya go, I can't follow directions!!!....
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act2
Hey, kimberly, it's ok. At least you tried!!!
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Nottawayfer
I always ask myself is it possessive (the dog's nose is cold.) a contraction (it's [it is] so cold.), or is it plural (dogs are cold.)?
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Oakspear
How about "Meetin' Fer Old Farts"?
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