Apostrocises
February 18th 2009 07:20
Repetition is a powerful learning tool. It is not always popular - think children reciting multiplication tables. But children also learn to operate DVD players and their remote controls, to play complicated on-line and console games, and to understand many of life's procedures and systems through repetition. Great chefs, carpenters and other artisans, musicians and athletes become skilled through repetition.
English language skills can be learned the same way.
What will be offered here is a series of exercises on apostrophes, teaching through repetition in the same way Bloggercises is already doing with spelling, redundancies and clichés.
Look at the following seven sentences. Apostrophes may or may not be required. Write down the corrected sentences, and then check the answers below. If you are not certain, however, try going to this post first and finding the relevant section, and then the answer. Finding the answer this way will help you remember the rule.
Nobodys saying apostrophes are easy.
Womens work is never done.
Use yours please.
You dont need hers.
Neither do you need theirs.
Its a long way, but its walkable.
Mr Jones room is a mess.
Buy your TVs and DVDs here.
INTERLUDE
Early Chinese figurine art. Image: www.affluentusa.com
Early Chinese figurine art. Image: www.affluentusa.com
Nobody's saying apostrophes are easy.
Women's work is never done.
Use yours please.
You don't need hers.
Neither do you need theirs.
It's a long way, but it's walkable.
Mr Jones's (or Jones') room is a mess.
Buy your TVs and DVDs here.
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Checking oneself against oneself is how they are designed. No competition, no-one looking over your shoulder.
It's great to get such positive feedback.
Comment by Spike 2
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
I missed the one in don't, for the same reason, in several proof reads, finding it just before posting. I'm too tricky for myself.
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
A teacher taught me once - the verb is practise has "is" and the noun contains a noun - practice (ice).
So if I was to practise my lines today while John is working at his legal practice.
It's always a good way to remember it so I thought I'd share.
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
One of the problems is that our American friends play by different rules. Merriam-Webster shows practice as both a verb and a noun, and lists practise as a "variant".
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
One of the problems is that our American friends play by different rules. Merriam-Webster shows practice as both a verb and a noun, and lists practise as a "variant".
It's such a relief to know that!
Tracy
Comment by Spike 2
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
I know what you mean. Like Spike, this was one I wasn't sure about either. Janet's excellent explanation and mnemonic led me to check my suspicion that the Americans did it differently, and now, finally, all is clear.
Relief really is the word. Nice to know others think like that.
Comment by Elizabeth2-7
A shadow of herself
Janet, thank you. I'm like Spike, I've always had trouble with practice/se. Now all I have to do is work on a/effect. Stationery/ary is no problem, I've got the hang of that one. I used to remember principal/ple, but seem to have forgotten that one, too. Oh dear ...
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Practise/ice
Stationery/ary
Principle/pal ...
There's/their's a lot/alot of sense/cents in your/yore words!