Apostrophe use and capitals.

**Beemer** · 19th December 2008, 15:12

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Fortunately the situation as outlined doesn't occur that often!

It is generally regarded as bad form to start any piece of writing with quotated speech. Journalism particularly frowns on that practice. That doesn't mean that doing so is "wrong", rather that there are generally better ways of leading a reader into a particular story.

Personally, if I had to start a paragraph with a contraction that needed to be contained in quotes, I would dispense with the apostrophe.

And an ellipsis (the punctuation mark) only has three dots...

I'd agree with Hitcher, and MSTRS makes some good points too. I've got several books on grammar and punctuation and although 'Common errors and problems in English' has an extensive section on apostrophes, it doesn't cover this at all.

Don't you just LOVE English? Well, I do - at least I love the hourly rate I get for correcting stuff other people get wrong!

**MSTRS:Me** · 19th December 2008, 15:14

Originally Posted by Skyryder

‘Ppreaciate that. Just don’t look right though.

Skyryder

Apart from the spelling, I would say that in the case of a word like 'appreciate' that one would drop one of the ps...thusly becoming --- 'Preciate.
Maybe.
'Itcher?

**Skyryder** · 19th December 2008, 15:20

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Apart from the spelling, I would say that in the case of a word like 'appreciate' that one would drop one of the ps...thusly becoming --- 'Preciate.
Maybe.
'Itcher?

So what you are saying is that ' should be replaced with " Sorry Just taking the piss or should it be pis' or even pi"

Skyryder

**Hitcher** · 19th December 2008, 15:20

Originally Posted by MSTRS

'Itcher?

Those in the trade refer to apostrophes as a "poss" as a form of shorthand, often in regard to placement of said device e.g S poss or poss S.

**Big Dave** · 19th December 2008, 15:38

Originally Posted by bungbung

"Self expression" as practised by an owner-operator

Pregnant...pause.

**gijoe1313** · 19th December 2008, 16:40

'Ee by gum, it's all lordy lordy so naughty naughty wiv' this 'ere apoplectic perplexing 'postrophe 'perzackerly placementating!

I reckons oi think it's a rum 'ow d'ya do wiv'all this nowt, but nowt! As me wee mammy used to say :

"If'n ye hav'n ta t'ink about 'dis, then it's 'ferpectly clear that yer being high-falutin' and look'n down yer noose at 'uvvers!"

So guv'nor, no need for yer 'igh charley 'orse, 'cause it's all par fer d'course so's ta speak!

**Big Dave** · 19th December 2008, 16:42

Ah - here's Long John Fooey.

**AllanB** · 19th December 2008, 16:43

This thread is not dissimilar to my own concerns regarding the written language.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=88505

**gijoe1313** · 19th December 2008, 16:53

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Ah - here's Long John Fooey.

Secret Wok Cooking Wonderguy!
Long John Fooey,
More grammatical mistakes than an undergrad essay
Long John Fooey,
Numba 1 mispessling ghuy!
Long John Fooey,
Stubbed his toe on dictionary
Long John Fooey,
Trampling over English guide!
Hoo ha! Preposition error!
Ah so! Adverbial clause mistake!
Yang Bu! Idiom and syntax clash!
Long John Fooey,
Rucking your flied lice with creamofsumyunguy!

**ManDownUnder** · 19th December 2008, 17:16

Originally Posted by MSTRS

'Ere 'Itcher, wha' you on abart?

Fark - that's a bit heavy isn't it?

That's up there with:
* Why?

**mstriumph** · 19th December 2008, 17:19

Originally Posted by Hitcher

....................

And an ellipsis (the punctuation mark) only has three dots...

you just CAN't leave it alone, can you? ....

**mstriumph** · 19th December 2008, 17:22

Originally Posted by klingon

Well! Thanks for asking the question, Skyryder. And thanks for your carefully considered responses everyone. I had never even thought about this situation, and now I know the answer.

if you ever win $1with-lots-of-noughts-following on some TV Quizz show or other by giving that as a correct answer, he'll expect a cut of your winnings!