BBC Home

Explore the BBC

Front Page

Life | The Universe | Everything | Advanced Search
 
Front PageReadTalkContributeHelp!FeedbackWho is Online
New visitors: Create your membership
Returning members: Sign in
 
Society for the Prevention of Apostrophe Misuse (SPAM)

Here at SPAM we are devoted to seeking and punishing those whose wanton slanders of this glorious punctuation mark are undermining the literate society in which we live.

Join SPAM by scribbling your name down in the forum below.

So how do I use it then?

Full details can be found at my entry Punctuation - a quick guide, but for those who do not wish to waste time reading the article, our manifesto can be summed up wit the following points.

1. Apostrophes are used when words are contracted. For example, do not becomes don't (not dont) and has not becomes hasn't (not hasnt).
2. Apostrophes are used in possessives. For example, This is Jack's ball, the ball belonging to Jack, rather than Jacks ball
3. Apostrophes are not used in plurals. Look at all those snake's! is an offence to the eye.
4. Apostrophes are not used in the possessive Its, just as they are not used in His or Hers.

The worst examples of apostrophe misuse

Abusers of the language beware, SPAM is on your trail!

"Girl's, Girl's, Girl's" Okay, but what do those girls own - a strip bar in Edinburgh.

"Haggi's and chip's" What is a "haggi"? Is it an obscure scandinavian name? - a cafe in Orkney.

Current members

Lodestone, founding member
Cloviscat
Jeny
bigfoot_wizzard
Tube
Rev. Jim DiLicious
MaW


Discuss this Entry  People have been talking about this Guide Entry. Here are the most recent Conversations:

Take Action !
(Last Posting: Oct 10, 2006)

Let me join!
(Last Posting: Mar 1, 2004)

I'd love to join
(Last Posting: Apr 8, 2003)

I have a question.....
(Last Posting: Dec 3, 2002)

Heaven will have a grammar and punctuation guide...
(Last Posting: Dec 3, 2002)

an uphill task
(Last Posting: Aug 3, 2006)

Large vehicles turning
(Last Posting: Aug 9, 2003)

ooh neato
(Last Posting: Dec 27, 2002)

<cool>
(Last Posting: Dec 3, 2002)

Let me in let me in let me in!
(Last Posting: Dec 3, 2002)




Add your Opinion!

There are tens of thousands of h2g2 Guide Entries, written by our Researchers. If you want to be able to add your own opinions to the Guide, simply become a member as an h2g2 Researcher. Tell me More!

 
Entry Data
Entry ID: A645545

Edited by:
Lodestone - join the Debating Society at A643925


Date: 17   October   2001


Text only
Like this page?
Send it to a friend


Referenced Guide Entries
Punctuation - a Quick Guide


Referenced Researchers
Tube - the being being back for the time being
MaW
Cloviscat
Jeny (Professor of Cheesology, Apostrophe Executive)
Lodestone - join the Debating Society at A643925
Rev. Jim DiLicious


Most of the content on this site is created by h2g2's Researchers, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click here to alert our Moderation Team. For any other comments, please start a Conversation below.
 


Front PageReadTalkContributeHelp!FeedbackWho is Online

Most of the content on h2g2 is created by h2g2's Researchers, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click here. For any other comments, please start a Conversation above.


About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy