Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
English grammar question on use of apostrophe
English translation:
for contractions, such as "it's" from "it is" and possession: John's books; Jones' problems OR Jones's problems
Added to glossary by
Michael Powers (PhD)
Apr 4, 2009 20:39
15 yrs ago
Spanish term
United Kingdom
Cecilia Coopman, M.A. in Translation
Top-class Spanish Translations
Native in: Spanish 
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English, French to Spanish
English grammar question (use of apostrophe)
Spanish to English
Other
Linguistics
Students have 15 hours’ class per week.
what is grammatically correct: with or without apostrophe?
Many thanks.
what is grammatically correct: with or without apostrophe?
Many thanks.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +5 | neither fifteen hours of class |
Michael Powers (PhD)
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| 4 +14 | Students have 15 hours of class per week |
Patricia Rosas
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References
| Apostrophe |
Alejandro Alcaraz Sintes
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| Quasi Possessives |
ael
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Change log
Apr 9, 2009 22:11: Michael Powers (PhD) Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+5
2 mins
Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
US Court Cert. 1980 Ph.D. 1981
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, Portuguese to English, English to Spanish, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
86
Selected
neither fifteen hours of class
Mike :)
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Note added at 2 mins (2009-04-04 20:42:39 GMT)
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a fifteen hour class (unlikely, since it would last 15 hours straight)
15 hours of class (a total of 15 hours, split up into different segments)
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Note added at 12 mins (2009-04-04 20:52:05 GMT)
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When a word ends in "s", if the addition of the "s" makes the word plural, and if it is the possessor of what follows, an apostrophe is added, as in the hypothetical that Patricia mentioned.
If the singular and plural already end in "s", such as my last name (Powers), then either an apostrophe alone or an apostrophe followed by an s can be used:
Powers' books or Powers's books
If it is not the possessor, and not a contraction, such as "it's" for "it is", no apostrophe is used.
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Note added at 5 days (2009-04-09 22:09:23 GMT) Post-grading
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our pleasure, Cecilia - Mike :)
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Note added at 2 mins (2009-04-04 20:42:39 GMT)
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a fifteen hour class (unlikely, since it would last 15 hours straight)
15 hours of class (a total of 15 hours, split up into different segments)
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Note added at 12 mins (2009-04-04 20:52:05 GMT)
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When a word ends in "s", if the addition of the "s" makes the word plural, and if it is the possessor of what follows, an apostrophe is added, as in the hypothetical that Patricia mentioned.
If the singular and plural already end in "s", such as my last name (Powers), then either an apostrophe alone or an apostrophe followed by an s can be used:
Powers' books or Powers's books
If it is not the possessor, and not a contraction, such as "it's" for "it is", no apostrophe is used.
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Note added at 5 days (2009-04-09 22:09:23 GMT) Post-grading
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our pleasure, Cecilia - Mike :)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
MPGS
: :)
4 mins
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Thank you, MPGS - Mike :)
|
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| agree |
Alejandro Alcaraz Sintes
10 mins
|
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Thank you, Alejandro - Mike :)
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| agree |
Mónica Algazi
17 mins
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Thank you, Mónica - Mike :)
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| agree |
De Novi
2 hrs
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Thank you, Zanne - Mike :)
|
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| agree |
Joseph Tein
: I agree if you agree that YOU need to insert punctuation after the word 'neither' above. Otherwise you have a very unclear sentence fragment!! :)
9 hrs
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Thank you, Joseph - you are absolutely correct - Mike :)
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to all of you for your input; especially to Michael for the explanations. Very useful. Thanks again."
+14
4 mins
Patricia Rosas
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
servicios para autores académicos
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
28
Students have 15 hours of class per week
The statement is not grammatically correct because "hours" do not possess "class". However, in a statement such as "students' classes total 15 hours each week," the apostrophe is needed.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
MPGS
: :)
3 mins
|
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Thank you!
|
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| agree |
Margarita Gonzalez
: Y saludos mil, Patricia
5 mins
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¡Igualmente, Margarita!
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| agree |
EMMA BARRACLOUGH
37 mins
|
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thank you!
|
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| agree |
Luciana DM
: agree, no apostrophe
1 hr
|
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thank you, too!
|
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| agree |
MagdalenaJanik
: agree, without
1 hr
|
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thank you!
|
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| agree |
V Fernandez
: agree
1 hr
|
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thanks, too!
|
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| agree |
Rachel Fell
: hm - or 15 hours of classes per week
1 hr
|
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Rachel: You're 100% right! Thanks! Enjoy your weekend!
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| agree |
teju
: Saludos :)
2 hrs
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¡Saludos y gracias!
|
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| agree |
claudia bagnardi
4 hrs
|
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thank you, Claudia!
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| agree |
Eng2Span
: Hiya!
4 hrs
|
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thanks!
|
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| agree |
Daniel Burns (X)
8 hrs
|
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thank you!
|
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| agree |
Joseph Tein
: The 'of' is essential. No apostrophes in this situation.
9 hrs
|
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thank you, Joseph!
|
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| agree |
Melissa Mann
16 hrs
|
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thanks!
|
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| agree |
jack_speak
2 days 9 hrs
|
Reference comments
4 mins
Alejandro Alcaraz Sintes
Spain
Spain
Native in Spanish
Works in field
Spain
Sworn & legal. Contracts & CVs. PhD
Native in: Spanish (Variant: Standard-Spain)
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English, French to Spanish
Related KudoZ points
:
24
Reference:
Apostrophe
Apostrophe is needed if no prepositions is used, but I don't have my grammar books here.
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Note added at 11 mins (2009-04-04 20:51:33 GMT)
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No, on second thoughts, I must be wrong. I should know better.
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Note added at 11 mins (2009-04-04 20:51:33 GMT)
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No, on second thoughts, I must be wrong. I should know better.
Peer comments on this reference comment:
| neutral |
Michael Powers (PhD)
: Not in this case. That presupposes that the word with the apostrophe is either a contraction or the possessor, whereas in this case it is neither. // If I had a nickle for everyimte I have said something that I would like to retract, I would be super-rich
4 mins
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You are absolutely right. I added a note to my own answer before reading this. Regards.
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11 hrs
Reference:
Quasi Possessives
"Question:
Is two weeks notice supposed to be two weeks' notice?
Answer:
Although not all would agree, the Associated Press Stylebook says yes--use the apostrophe with this quasi possessive:
Follow the rules above in composing the possessive form of words that occur in such phrases as a day's pay, two weeks' vacation, three days' work, your money's worth.
Some writers, however, would regard "two weeks" as an adjective phrase and omit the apostrophe in favor of a hyphen: "two-weeks notice." Others would write "two weeks notice" without any punctuation at all.
If you're writing for a newspaper, follow the advice of the AP and use the apostrophe. If not, trust your own judgment."
Is two weeks notice supposed to be two weeks' notice?
Answer:
Although not all would agree, the Associated Press Stylebook says yes--use the apostrophe with this quasi possessive:
Follow the rules above in composing the possessive form of words that occur in such phrases as a day's pay, two weeks' vacation, three days' work, your money's worth.
Some writers, however, would regard "two weeks" as an adjective phrase and omit the apostrophe in favor of a hyphen: "two-weeks notice." Others would write "two weeks notice" without any punctuation at all.
If you're writing for a newspaper, follow the advice of the AP and use the apostrophe. If not, trust your own judgment."
Peer comments on this reference comment:
| agree |
David Ronder
: Yes, it's this type of quasi possessive and the apostrophe would not necessarily be wrong.
2 hrs
|
| neutral |
Alejandro Alcaraz Sintes
: But, in all your examples the word in the genitive denotes period of time (weeks') and rephrasable as "x lasting x weeks", and, as Mike wrote, the class doesn't last 15 hours. Or else an idiom "your money's worth" (which is explainable historically).
4 hrs
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Discussion