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"I was always taught that only people - and by extension places and
organisations - and time can take the possesive. All others should be
re-written."
I have also heard this from a vice president when I worked at Caterpillar. It is wrong.
"My boat's registration and insurance is in the glove box."
"His house's value is still going down."
"My idea's ethos seems good."
"My stent's capacity is not what it used to be ={."
"The painting's creator is unknown." (Unknown created the painting?) =]
"My website's structure is too convoluted."
All things, conceptual and physical, possesses properties.
As to "xxs's," as Sarah pointed out, it is a sound thing. Some things just sound wrong and are not used in spoken language and so should not be used in written language. "The Jones's damned cat. . ." but "The oasis' pool. . ."
All correctness aside, however, I would find out what Apostix's system is and use that. If they don't have one, I would follow peter Neilson's excellent advice -- Apostix Corporation's best intentions.
Hoping this helps someone.
David E. Hailey, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Professional and Technical Communication
Utah State University
david -dot- hailey -at- usu -dot- edu
1 435 797 2741
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+david -dot- hailey=usu -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+david -dot- hailey=usu -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Peter Hirons
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 3:23 AM
To: Moshe Kruger (AllWrite)
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Grammar question
I'd drop the posessive and use the name mor like an adjective, so:
> - The Apostix real-time solutions
> - The Apostix marketing strategy
In your other example, I'd re-write to say "the hem of the dress".
I was always taught that only people - and by extension places and
organisations - and time can take the possesive. All others should be
re-written.
--
Regards,
Peter
> Hi everyone,
>
> Apostix (an imaginary name) is very similar (especially the last three
> letters) to the real name of one of my clients.
>
> What should be the genitive (possessive) form of the name?
>
> The need to express that form arises most often in marketing texts, such
> as:
>
> - Apostix's real-time solutions
> - Apostix's marketing strategy
>
> This question is relevant to everyday examples such as associating the hem
> to a dress or a guitar to Jimmy Hendrix. Here, the authorities are
> divided:
>
> *Usage 1*:
> - The dress's hem
> - Jimmy Hendrix's guitar
> (here there is an additional, pronounced syllable)
>
> *Usage 2*:
> - Lloyd Bridges' son
> - The dress' hem
> (here there is no additional, pronounced syllable)
>
> What is certain is that an apostrophe must be added. It is untenable to
> write: Apostix real-time solutions.
>
> My question is: *how should I indicate the possessive of Apostix in the
> most
> correct, yet most unpompous way?*
> Ta,
>
> --
> Moshe Kruger
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