A Conversation for English Usage in the Edited Guide
Possessive apostrophes
Pimms Started conversation Aug 8, 2003
In my role as a pedant I occasionally point out where a possessive apostrophe has been missed out, or other minor typo.
Following one such suggested amendation (F129614?thread=304765 ) I was directed to view this style guide, with the implication that it would suggest that such apostrophes are not part of the EG style. In particular "Just to see what is right and wrong for the Edited Guide. Check the fifth bullet point of 'Grammar and Punctuation'."
This is a particular case for the word 'its' - might I suggest that the ambiguity that allows this misinterpetation is clarified eg "Possessive apostrophes should always be used, except in the case of 'its'"
This should be pretty obvious without being stated explicitly, as possessive apostrophes are used on several occasions in the style guide, but I don't think it would hurt to mention it and avoid confusion.
Pimmsaloonie 
Possessive apostrophes
The H2G2 Editors Posted Aug 8, 2003
Could you just explain in simple terms what it is you want us to do, please Pimms? It's not entirely clear 
- rewrite the guidelines?
- rewrite English grammar?
- correct a specific entry?
- something else?
Possessive apostrophes
Gordon, Ringer of Bells, Keeper of Postal Codes and Maps No One Can Re-fold Properly Posted Aug 8, 2003
I think he'd like someone to go through A1095996 and fix the possessives.
Cheers!
Possessive apostrophes
Kerr_Avon - hunting stray apostrophes and gutting poorly parsed sentences Posted Aug 8, 2003
I think he means replacing the specific bit about its/it's, with a sentence along the lines of the one he suggested. I wouldsuggest both- make the position on possesives clear, but also note its/it's.
Possessive apostrophes
Pimms Posted Aug 8, 2003
Sorry it wasn't crystal clear.
I would like the Sub-Ed guidelines amended to clarify that:
- what is mentioned in relation to 'its' is a *special* case where the normal rules for using possessive apostrophes is not followed, rather than a blanket ban on possessive apostrophes.
and yes I'd also like the apostrophes put back into the front page entry on Gravity and Inertia.
Pimmsaloonie
Possessive apostrophes
The H2G2 Editors Posted Aug 20, 2003
When we came to look at this, it still wasn't clear what the query was here, unfortunately, as we were under the impression that we'd not requested a blanket ban on possessives. Having read the discussion in the linked thread, however, we could see that there might be room for confusion. This has now been addressed in the Guidelines.
We were also surprised that the apostrophes were removed from the entry you cited, and have reinstated them.
Many thanks for your vigilance here, Pimms, and apologies for taking so long to get back to you on this.
The Eds.
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Possessive apostrophes
- 1: Pimms (Aug 8, 2003)
- 2: The H2G2 Editors (Aug 8, 2003)
- 3: Gordon, Ringer of Bells, Keeper of Postal Codes and Maps No One Can Re-fold Properly (Aug 8, 2003)
- 4: Kerr_Avon - hunting stray apostrophes and gutting poorly parsed sentences (Aug 8, 2003)
- 5: Pimms (Aug 8, 2003)
- 6: The H2G2 Editors (Aug 20, 2003)
- 7: Pimms (Aug 30, 2003)
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