> -----Original Message----- > From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:ibm-m...@bama.ua.edu] On > Behalf Of Paul Gilmartin > Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 12:10 PM > To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu > Subject: Apostrophes > > On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:51:55 -0800, Edward Jaffe wrote: <Snipped> > It's (contraction, not plural) an obsolete convention, still > followed by many: > > http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Apostrophes > > # An exception can also be made for numbers and abbreviations, > although some consider this old fashioned, illogical and > unnecessary. MLA guidelines suggest that no apostrophe is > needed following numbers (as when naming a decade). > > * "I bought many CD's in the 1990's." Incorrect. > * "I bought many CDs in the 1990s." Correct. > > (For many years I've felt guilty for using what I now see is MLA > style.)
Sorry, apostrophes following numbers and abbreviations was the way I was taught to punctuate in the mid-20th century. Those nuns would have my hide if I forgot proper apostrophe placement, and that lesson doesn't fade with time. I'm afraid that's one new-dog trick this old dog won't be learning. Peter This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
