Pedants' Paradise

[ahinton]

That doesn't answer my question of why that necessitates an apostrophe. I've already said. 'I would not say Visitors' Car Park was wrong , but nor is Visitors Car Park'). This is clearly a debatable area on which there is no meaningful 'rule'. And why should there be?

If you want to quibble and say if something isn't incorrect it's therefore correct, so be it. But I wouldn't be one to declare such points of language 'correct' or 'incorrect' in the first place. I merely argue that an apostrophe is not necessary.

I wouldn't - but I do recognise that sitting on the fence is an alternative option that might cause IBS...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

That doesn't answer my question of why that necessitates an apostrophe. I've already said. 'I would not say Visitors' Car Park was wrong , but nor is Visitors Car Park'). This is clearly a debatable area on which there is no meaningful 'rule'. And why should there be?

If you want to quibble and say if something isn't incorrect it's therefore correct, so be it. But I wouldn't be one to declare such points of language 'correct' or 'incorrect' in the first place. I merely argue that an apostrophe is not necessary.

Well, Birmingham and Deven councils decided that no apostrophes were necessary on their street signs. In the case of the Brummies, it was to avoid "confusion". Clearly they hadn't read Eats, Shoots and Leaves. Confusion is increased by sitting on the fence, making the English language even vaguer than it already is.

[french frank]

Well, Birmingham and Deven councils decided that no apostrophes were necessary on their street signs. In the case of the Brummies, it was to avoid "confusion". Clearly they hadn't read Eats, Shoots and Leaves. Confusion is increased by sitting on the fence, making the English language even vaguer than it already is.

I'm not advocating the non-use of apostrophes: I'm saying an apostrophe is not necessary when a noun is use attributively. The question of number is irrelevant. Are you saying Eats Shoots and Leaves should have apostrophes?

[ahinton]

I'm not advocating the non-use of apostrophes: I'm saying an apostrophe is not necessary when a noun is use attributively. The question of number is irrelevant. Are you saying Eats Shoots and Leaves should have apostrophes?

I'm sure that he isn't but the other meaning of that phrase doesn't require apostrophes either!

[greenilex]

Oh splendidly redundant mark
Let me apostrophise thee!

[gurnemanz]

That doesn't answer my question of why that necessitates an apostrophe. I've already said. 'I would not say Visitors' Car Park was wrong , but nor is Visitors Car Park'). This is clearly a debatable area on which there is no meaningful 'rule'. And why should there be?

If you want to quibble and say if something isn't incorrect it's therefore correct, so be it. But I wouldn't be one to declare such points of language 'correct' or 'incorrect' in the first place. I merely argue that an apostrophe is not necessary.

Or this variant - also OK by me

[Serial_Apologist]

Oh splendidly redundant mark
Let me apostrophise thee!

It's all right: there's no need to apostrophise!

[greenilex]

But I have a regrettable tendency towards apoplecticisation...

[ahinton]

It's all right: there's no need to apostrophise!

But what about anthroposophising? Might there ever be a need for that (even if only in a Visitors' Car Park)?...

[french frank]

I know if I hadn't been skim-reading all would have immediately been clear, but please, BBC, punctuation can sometimes aid speedy comprehension and avoid the furrowing of brows:

"Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage said a bomb squad had determined the device containing wires and pipes could be a live bomb."

[Pulcinella]

I know if I hadn't been skim-reading all would have immediately been clear, but please, BBC, punctuation can sometimes aid speedy comprehension and avoid the furrowing of brows:

"Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage said a bomb squad had determined the device containing wires and pipes could be a live bomb."

And the addition of 'that' in two places (said that.....determined that) would help too. The word 'that' seems to have gone out of favour.

[jean]

It was the Elizabeth that puzzled me - and I don't see how punctuation would have clarified that (though if I'd read the whole story I would have known).

[kernelbogey]

And the addition of 'that' in two places (said that.....determined that) would help too. The word 'that' seems to have gone out of favour.

Agreed. At least this example uses had determined - a usage also sadly falling out of favour, often thereby causing confusion about a chronological sequence.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The word 'that' seems to have gone out of favour.

'sright!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It was the Elizabeth that puzzled me - and I don't see how punctuation would have clarified that (though if I'd read the whole story I would have known).

Yes - is there somebody with the name "Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage" (Ms E M C Bollwage), or is there an honorary title "Elizabeth Mayor" of somewhere (like a "Regis Professor")?