Klarinet Archive - Posting 000245.txt from 2000/12
From: Gavin Rebetzke <GRebetzke@-----.au>
Subj: RE: [kl] Legere Reeds (warning: apostrophe content)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 00:49:27 -0500
Gary Truesdail posted: "except the Tony's, of course, and Abe, and Ian, and
Roger, and"(full post below)
I'm assuming Gary's spelling of Tonys is an attempt at levity!
Further to my earlier post (in relation to which I apologize for my uncalled
for sarcasm) I advise that I have learnt a new thing and that I am now
prepared to concede that an apostrophe might properly be used to indicate
plurality in certain limited circumstances in order to avoid confusion.
However, I note two things from Fowler's Modern English Usage, 2nd Edn., at
page 467:
The first is that the second part of the sentence which has previously been
quoted from Fowler about the occasional use of an apostrophe in such
circumstances is as follows: "but this should not be extended beyond what is
necessary for that purpose".
The second is that Fowler describes the insertion of an apostrophe in the
plural of an noun as "a fatuous vulgarism".
The example given in Fowler of the use of an apostrophe to denote plurality
is "dot your i's and cross your t's". However, Fowler sees no use for an
apostrophe to avoid confusion in the following examples: "M.P.s, A.D.C.s,
N.C.O.s, the 1920s".
Likewise, there would be little alternative than to state there are four s's
in sassafras.
Roger Garrett wrote some time ago: "Not one of the grammar-related books in
my office, including the MLA Handbook, several general purpose handbooks,
and two grammars, makes any distinction between plurals and other nouns with
respect to this issue. Therefore, the same rules apply to _Tony_ as to any
other English noun."
I thought I might just indicate that Fowler at page 457 states that proper
names do not conform to the usual rules concerning words ending in "-y".
The examples given are "There are now two Germanys./ The three Marys at the
Crucifixion."
Finally, Doug Sears wrote: "Spelling flames have been considered bad
netiquette ever since
"netiquette" was invented." I will watch my p's and q's from now on. There
seemed to be sufficient interest in the topic to make the above
contribution. Neil and I have agreed to continue our conversation upon this
interesting topic privately off the list. Join us if you wish. "Clarinet".
Gavin
-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Truesdail [mailto:gir@-----.net]
Subject: Re: [kl] Legere Reeds (warning: apostrophe content)
I disagree with you Doug. Repeated reading and writing about a subject is
an
excellent way to get something to sink in. Kind of like practicing a scale.
I
never met a musician that mastered the F# scale (let alone get it correct)
on
the first try, except the Tony's, of course, and Abe, and Ian, and Roger,
and
..........
GaryT
Doug Sears wrote:
>
>
> discussion of apostrophe's :-) was a total waste of time -- it just won't
sink
> in with
> those who really need it (
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