Merry Christmas

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 4:30 pm

In the flesh

Im no poet---but here goes

What can you be alluding to?
And what exactly did I do?
None of this can I recall
I wonder?Did I have a ball?

Spider--this is "Dodgy" ground!
if you're in a "Jam"
Don't stick around

Apostrophe right Michael?

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 4:41 pm

The rules concerning the use of Apostrophes in written English are very simple:
They are used to denote a missing letter or letters, for example:

I can't instead of I cannot
I don't instead of I do not
it's instead of it is

They are used to denote possession, for example:

the dog's bone
the company's logo
Jones's bakery (but Joneses' bakery if owned by more than one Jones)

... note that we drop the apostrophe for the possessive form of it:

the bone is in its mouth

... however, if there are two or more dogs, companies or Joneses in our example, the apostrophe comes after the 's':

the dogs' bones
the companies' logos
Joneses' bakeries

Apostrophes are NEVER ever used to denote plurals! Common examples of such abuse (all seen in real life!) are:

Banana's for sale which of course should read Bananas for sale
Menu's printed to order which should read Menus printed to order
MOT's at this garage which should read MOTs at this garage
1000's of bargains here! which should read 1000s of bargains here!
New CD's just in! which should read New CDs just in!
Buy your Xmas tree's here! which should read Buy your Xmas trees here!

Note: Special care must be taken over the use of your and you're as they sound the same but are used quite differently:
your is possessive as in this is your pen
you're is short for you are as in you're coming over to my house.

Hope this will help

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:04 pm

Thank-you Michael--Im afraid "punctuation" is my downfall at times----I used to use commas a lot(too much) --but my tutor at publishers said i didn't need them when using "and" and "but"--but--I often get it wrong still--and he reworks material for me.
Its truly amazing how"professionals " can take out or add a word to make a piece "read" better. Im still very much a novice at the game and always appreciate any help/guidance.
Just to add--I wish you,Sharon and family a great Christmas--and Im sure you won't have to manage on a drumstick--- have fun

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:11 pm

Thank you, Ellie. Seasons Greetings to you and yours.

eco/spider · Post by **eco/spider** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 7:20 pm

Ellie. Note book in hand and smile so sweet
I eyed you on upon a 'Colombo's seat,

Smiling at male passers by,
but never quite catching my eye.

writing writing all the time
pausing only to sip some wine.

Wary of your hubby big
I wish I didn't give a fig.

So with this ID I will close
will I see you next spring?
who knows