Comments on: Writerly Ramblings

By: Hugh Cook

Hugh Cook — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:54:35 +0000

Sorry, I disagree with your example of the possessive plural of the surname Adams. If the family name is “Adams,” then the plural form of the name is “the Adamses,” and the possessive plural is “the Adamses’ mai tai.” Personally, I would avoid the problem altogether and say the Adams family’s mai tais.

By: Richard Sutton

Richard Sutton — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 13:56:05 +0000

Those apostrophe Ssses really kill me — they are a bane! But PLEASE broadcast the fact that you never use an apostrophe for a simple plural. I see painted signs with that error almost daily and it drives me nuts. BTW, it’s good to see you letting the fingers work the keyboard again, Lynn. Hope your move goes well.

Regarding First Drafts, I would only add they they are the most enjoyment there is in writing. Rewrites, edits, and surgery don’t fill you with that nice endorphin rush. I’d tell anyone with an idea for a book, to just jump right in and begin to write for the pleasure that’s in it. You can always sort it out later.

By: Laura W.

Laura W. — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 03:40:14 +0000

Thank you for covering my pet peeves about the “s”! It drives me nuts when I see that. But I’m sure it drives other people nuts when I make them read things like “she ran quickly.” I’m working on it…

If I ignore or forget everything else in this post, I promise I’ll remember “splorky.”

By: John Allan

John Allan — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:30:48 +0000

That’s the first time I have heard of writing a name ending in s in the possessive with an apostrophe, but no additional s, because it is a classical name, Perhaps because I’m British. Or simply, perhaps, because I have never been aware of it.

But the tendency to append the apostrophe to possessive singular nouns that end in s, without the additional s, is one of my grammar hang-ups. Particularly when, as is all too common, it appears in professional media.