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• 15 hours ago

  Why should we bother with the "apostrophe of omission"?

  “The prevalence of incorrect instances of the use of the apostrophe at the present time, even in the work of otherwise reasonably well-educated people (e.g. it’s wings, apple’s for sale, this is your’s), together with the abandonment of it by many business firms (Barclays Bank, Lloyds Bank) suggest that the time is close at hand when this moderately useful device should be abandoned.” – Robert Burchfield, The English Language (1985)
  Great Answer (2)
• 1 month ago

  The world's first historical thesaurus, based on the OED: who find this news exciting and thrilling?

  I think it’s awesome, but I wouldn’t buy it. I’d prefer an online version, so it can be easily updated.
  Great Answer (1)
• 2 months ago

  Old school Dr. Who fans, your opinion of the new series?

  I don’t see how zapping something with the sonic screwdriver is worse than opening some panels and muttering technobabble. They’re both magic, and the first way is less boring. I’m an old school fan and I love how the new show is faster paced and more full of emotion and spectacle.
  Great Answer (0)
• 2 months ago

  Is there an absolute correct English language, or is it ever-changing?

  @Zen No. There are two “un-” prefixes in English. One expresses negation, as in “uncompleted”, and the other expresses reversal or deprivation, as in “untie”. The prefix “in/il/ir/im” is from Latin. There are two of them as well. One meant “in, into, within” and its sound assimilated with the word it attached to, as in “irradiate”. The other expressed negation or privation, and it also underwent assimilation, as in “irregular”. The assimilation happened in Latin, not English.
  Great Answer (0)
• 3 months ago

  When showing possession of a word that ends in "s", is it correct to add " 's " or just the apostrophe?

  Some usage books say the first, some say the second, some say either. The first is more common.
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