Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site trwspp.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!hao!hplabs!sdcrdcf!trwrb!trwspp!stassen From: stassen@trwspp.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Helen an' me (and Mr. McGee) Message-ID: <617@trwspp.UUCP> Date: Thu, 11-Oct-84 13:02:03 EDT Article-I.D.: trwspp.617 Posted: Thu Oct 11 13:02:03 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 13-Oct-84 03:45:38 EDT Organization: T R W, Redondo Beach, CA Lines: 27 [] Well, I just checked my handy-dandy reference, and the "apostrophe-S" dilemma is listed in the "Style" section, *not* the grammar rules section. And, it says (emphasis mine): "The use of an `'S` with words ending in \s\ or \z\ sounds *USUALLY* depends on whether a pronounceable final syllable is thus formed: if the syllable is pronounced, the `'s` is *USUALLY* used; if no final pronounceable syllable is formed, the `s` is *USUALLY* not added." What this means, folks is that it is merely a matter of style, like so many other things in the language (thanks, Ken Perlow). As an aside, the apostrophe rules include "use in formation of plurals of letters, figures, and words referred to as words." It is useable in many places other than contractions and possessives. I am inclined to say that we're *all* right, but this is net.flame: YOU'RE ALL *WRONG*. AND NONE OF YOU CAN EVEN HOPE TO BE RIGHT! NO MATTER WHAT YOU USE, IT'S WRONG. -- Chris