# How to use apostrophes, for fuck's sake **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 20, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336 "2003-05-20T13:59:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/21 "2003-05-20T19:22:17Z")
This is funny. I started a similar thread awhile back, but instead of getting a bunch of responses like “Excellent thread, Blowero”, I got more along the lines of “How DARE you criticize us?”. Of course, it might have had to do with all the cuss words I used in _my_ OP.😉 I love Bob the Angry Flower, though. ---
**Author:** ![Fin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fin_man)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/22 "2003-05-20T19:29:33Z")
While guilty in the past, here is “affect” and “effect” As a verb, the most common meaning of _affect_ is “to influence” i.e. _we don’t know how the rules will affect us_. _Effect_, as a verb, means “to bring about.” i.e. _no other avenue to effect the change_ _affect_ as a noun means a feeling or emotion while _effect_, used as a noun, means (among other things) a result or outcome. _One important effect of the provision is…_ ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/23 "2003-05-20T20:20:47Z")
Speaking of misplaced apostrophes: > [@](#): > > Fin\_man > Member > > Registered: Mar 2002 > Location: seat of go’vment inaction > Posts: 256 ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/24 "2003-05-20T20:27:22Z")
Re: the thread title. So… the “sake” belongs to the “fuck”? How many sakes does fuck own, and can I borrow one? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/25 "2003-05-20T20:34:34Z")
Sake, like fuck, should be served at 98.6 degrees. Coincidence? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/26 "2003-05-20T20:46:58Z")
Hate to break this to you, jj; however, some [sub]absolutely moronic[/sub] folks have been using “her’s” instead of the correct version of that particular pronoun. Quite sad, isn’t it? p.s. Feel free to check this thread: [The Nineteenth Letter of the English Alphabet.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3002500&highlight=apostrophe#post3002500) ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/27 "2003-05-20T21:20:55Z")
Well, in some people’s (mine for example) defense, it could just be really bad typing skills rather than bad apostrophe use. I am pretty good with punctuation and spelling, and I even proof stuff before I post it. But DARNED if some unintended typo (like the darned thing gets stuck on the back of a didnt’ for some bizarre reason). Sometimes, it’s just clumsy typing. Other than that, I’m in full agreement. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/28 "2003-05-20T21:27:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*Hate to break this to you, jj; however, some [sub]absolutely moronic[/sub] folks have been using “her’s” instead of the correct version of that particular pronoun. Quite sad, isn’t it? > \*\* :eek: I did not know that. I’ve always typed “her’s.” I will not do so in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Profane\_Creation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/839c29/32.png) [@Profane\_Creation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profane_Creation)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/29 "2003-05-20T21:40:22Z")
What a bunch of punctuationist’s you all are. 😃 (FTR I’m totally in line with the OP) ---
**Author:** ![irishbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishbird)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/30 "2003-05-20T21:41:37Z")
"When is it “it’s”? When it is it is. When is it “its”? When it isn’t it is." I agree with MSU1978 on this one (courtesy of an Irish education). It’s what we were taught but few seem to know it in London unfortunately. Another annoying thing is the change from seperate to separate -anyone noticed That?!? Ugh! Oh, by the way MSU - did you realise your log-in name is a medical abbreviation for Mid-Stream Urine? Just thought I’d throw that in… lol! ---
**Author:** ![SisterCoyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SisterCoyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SisterCoyote)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/31 "2003-05-20T22:35:19Z")
**Cite** is a quotation, and a reference to the location where the quotation was found. **Sight** is the sense that allows us to see. **Site** is a location. I’m sure there are specific rules as to its use, but if you’re talking about a place, even a non-physical place, you probably want “site” if you’re using one of these words. **affect** is either a transitive verb or a noun. As a transitive verb it is used to mean one of the three following: 1. To have an influence on, to cause to change. 2. To act on the emotions of, touch or move 3. To attack or infect As a noun, affect means a feeling or emotion, especially as manifested by facial expression or body language, in relation to #2 above. **effect** is more complicated, so I will quote what I found on [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com): > [@](#): > > \*\* > Noun: > [li]Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result. [/li][li]The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result; influence [/li][li]A scientific law, hypothesis, or phenomenon: the photovoltaic effect. [/li][li]Advantage; avail[/li][li]The condition of being in full force or execution[/li][li]Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention[/li][li]A particular impression: large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness. [/li][li]Production of a desired impression[/li][li]The basic or general meaning; import[/li] > transitive verb > [li]To bring into existence. [/li][li]To produce as a result. [/li][li]To bring about. [/li]\*\* So, an **effect** is the end result of something, while an **affect** is an emotion. Now that I’ve thoroughly confused that issue… ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/32 "2003-05-20T22:45:20Z")
Welp, so far we have the Thread Police, the PC Police, the Link Police, and _I’ve_ actually been dubbed the ‘Shame Police’, I only see it fitting that **jjimm** be dubbed the Grammar Police. Thank yew. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/33 "2003-05-21T03:22:50Z")
So this board is only welcomed to people with certain levels of education? Gee, and here I thought it was welcome to _all_ people. (who aren’t jerks) I just don’t get people like you. Is it that you have a hard time comprehending what the poster is trying to say if he/she uses their apostrophes wrong? Talk about fighting ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/34 "2003-05-21T03:35:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SHAKES \* > Talk about fighting ignorance. I thought the OP was a splendid example of fighting ignorance, actually. He laid out the rules for apostrophe use very clearly. Much of that should have been taught - to native English speakers, at least - by at least the pre-teen years in school, so it doesn’t require a lot of education to learn how to use apostrophes properly. ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/35 "2003-05-21T03:47:05Z")
Using apostrophes to note abbreviations and numbers is a point about which reasonable people may differ. I don’t care for it myself, but my employer, a legal publisher, requires it. ---
**Author:** ![Erika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/47e85d/32.png) [@Erika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erika)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/36 "2003-05-21T03:48:26Z")
**SHAKES** , there’s a difference between “um, by the way, it’s supposed to go _this_ way” and “you _idiot_, here’s how you use apostrophes!” And my read of this thread leaves it firmly in the first category. Would fighting ignorance be better served by ignoring gramatical ignorance as well? ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/37 "2003-05-21T03:57:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SHAKES \* > **So this board is only welcomed to people with certain levels of education?** It doesn’t take “certain levels of education” for one to learn to use proper grammar. My formal instruction in grammar was over prior to high school. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SHAKES \* > \*\*Talk about fighting ignorance. \*\* Indeed. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/38 "2003-05-21T04:15:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Erika \* > \*\*Would fighting ignorance be better served by ignoring gramatical ignorance as well? \*\* **Gaudere** strikes again! 😛 Great post, **jjimm**. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Joe\_Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Random)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/39 "2003-05-21T04:19:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SHAKES \* > **So this board is only welcomed to people with certain levels of education?** If you are literate enough to type words that form coherent sentences, then you should already _have_ the education necessary to use apostrophes correctly. This isn’t about people with no education; it’s about people who ignore (or simply forget) the education they’ve already had. > [@](#): > > **I just don’t get people like you. Is it that you have a hard time comprehending what the poster is trying to say if he/she uses their apostrophes wrong?** Sometimes apostrophe misuse **can** lead to misinterpretations. Even in cases where the meaning is obvious, grossly incorrect grammar is something that everyone should strive to avoid. u can undrsatnd wat im riting, but does that meen that no1 shud correkt me if i rite liek this? If someone posted, “2+2=5” and I corrected them, would you get upset? Why is apostrophe misuse any different? It’s just as wrong as **2+2=5**. > [@](#): > > \*\*Talk about fighting ignorance. \*\* Exactly. People who misuse apostrophes _are_ ignorant. They’re ignorant of correct apostrophe usage. Why should attempts to educate people upset you so? ---
**Author:** ![Deathstatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Deathstatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deathstatic)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336/40 "2003-05-21T05:15:15Z")
So, umm, you guy’s are probably expecting something like this. Wheres the fun if you cant use you’re post’s to make an ass of yourself? So, I am go’n’na (confused by the missing letters rule’s) just go ahead and do that. Hope ya’ll dont mind. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-apostrophes-for-fucks-sake/176336.md?page=3)