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Pedants' corner

Pedants, please come and sort out my apostrophes

4 replies

mangolassi · 11/09/2008 08:59



I'm a bit confused about apostrophes to denote possession. Need to talk about an organisation (we'll call it X Y Service) and their work in a particular place (Zz).

  1. X Y Service's work in Zz
  2. XY Services' work in Zz
  3. XY Services work in Zz.
  4. Other (please specify)
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Lilymaid · 11/09/2008 09:06

1 is correct if organisation is called XY Service and the word work is used as a noun (i.e. the work of XY Service)
If the organisation was called XY Services and the word "work" is used as a noun, the correct answer would be 2. (i.e. the work of XY Services)
If the organisation was called XY Services and the word "work" is used as a verb, the correct phrase would be "XY Services works in Zz" as "XY Services" is still singular despite the word Services being a plural.

  1. If the organisation was called XY Service and the word "work" is used as a verb, you would then say "XY Service works in Zz".


Does that cover all possibilities and leave the OP totally confused?
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littlelapin · 11/09/2008 09:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mangolassi · 11/09/2008 09:19

Ok, the organisation is Service singular. Work is being used as a noun. So Number 1. Thanks

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littlelapin · 11/09/2008 09:21

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