Apostrophe-S ('s) Used to Denote Plurality!

[xengrifter]

According to the instructions as I interpret them I should be making some risky doubles on 12's and 13's since the standard play is to stay.

why did you place ('s) after 12 and 13? Did you mean 12s and 13s?

There are dozens of articles on the internet that discuss how to write the plural of numerals. Almost all will advise not to use an apostrophe, which serves no real purpose. Here's just one of many: https://www.grammarbook.com/newsletters/110910.htm

Both of those are valid, as I understand it

My research only went as far as discovering that it is a matter of style rather than a rigid rule. For what it's worth, I read the discussion here - https://english.stackexchange.com/q...nyms-letters-numbers-use-an-apostrophe-or-not ... The point I was seeking to make is that it was hardly a glaring error requiring someone to step forward and slap the offender's wrist.

I beg to differ...while as a general rule you will not find me correcting posters' grammar, the confusion of apostrophe-s being used to denote plurality is systemic. I am inundated with cheap ads and newsletters and flyers and posts titles all perpetuating and accelerating this ignorance. It has been a pet peeve for some time

What I got from Colin's discussion link is a feeble rationale for persisting in bad and illogical grammar, which only increases this improper convenience.

 

[21forme]

I find apostrophes helpful with numbers in adding some space and improving readability.

 

[DSchles]

I beg to differ...while as a general rule you will not find me correcting posters' grammar, the confusion of apostrophe-s being used to denote plurality is systemic. I am inundated with cheap ads and newsletters and flyers and posts titles all perpetuating and accelerating this ignorance. It has been a pet peeve for some time

What I got from Colin's discussion link is a feeble rationale for persisting in bad and illogical grammar, which only increases this improper convenience.

You need to understand that, although I never personally write 12's, or the 1950's, forming the plural of a numeral isn't in the same category as writing the ignorant and illiterate, "there are many casino's on the Strip." Let this one be.

Don

 

[xengrifter]

I find apostrophes helpful with numbers in adding some space and improving readability.

Mostly for you.
There are few real exceptions to this one.

 

[Tater]

Spelling ambidextrous won't get you a full ride. Being it won't hurt. When the casinos are kicking your butt, you're not thinking about where the apostrophes are located. You're thinking about how your dollars vanished.

 

[Dummy]

I like it when people use apostrophes after numbers and acronyms when using a plural form. Whether it is grammatically correct or not makes no difference to me. It just makes it easier to read. Isn't that the point of writing something to get the reader to easily read and understand what you have written? So damn the grammar police and just try to communicate as effectively as you can.

 

[JJP]

Punctuation can make people crazy. Especially exclamation points!

 

[DSchles]

I like it when people use apostrophes after numbers and acronyms when using a plural form. Whether it is grammatically correct or not makes no difference to me. It just makes it easier to read. Isn't that the point of writing something to get the reader to easily read and understand what you have written? So damn the grammar police and just try to communicate as effectively as you can.

Yeah, that's it; advocate anarchy in writing. Makes it easier for people who make mistakes all the time. Just keep saying, "What's the difference how I wrote it, just as long as you can understand it?" That's why the internet is populated by functional illiterates.

Don

 

[Dummy]

Yeah, that's it; advocate anarchy in writing. Makes it easier for people who make mistakes all the time. Just keep saying, "What's the difference how I wrote it, just as long as you can understand it?" That's why the internet is populated by functional illiterates.

If to your eyes "5" and "S" looked almost indistinguishable you would be thankful the "S" is separated from the numbers by an apostrophe. It s also nice to know when the acronym ends and the suffix begins because sometimes people accidentally don't capitalize the entire acronym. Sorry for not putting stress on being grandiloquent. I just want to be able to read what was written as easily as possible with my poor eyesight. I try to do the favor for others with the same handicap.

 

[DSchles]

If to your eyes "5" and "S" looked almost indistinguishable you would be thankful the "S" is separated from the numbers by an apostrophe. It s also nice to know when the acronym ends and the suffix begins because sometimes people accidentally don't capitalize the entire acronym. Sorry for not putting stress on being grandiloquent. I just want to be able to read what was written as easily as possible with my poor eyesight. I try to do the favor for others with the same handicap.

So what you're advocating is that the whole world change the rules of grammar and writing so that people with poor eyesight can read more easily? How about increasing the size of the font on your computer or using magnifying reading glasses for print? Are you really serious that the world should change the way it writes so that everything looks clearer to you?

Don

 

[Dummy]

So what you're advocating is that the whole world change the rules of grammar and writing so that people with poor eyesight can read more easily? How about increasing the size of the font on your computer or using magnifying reading glasses for print? Are you really serious that the world should change the way it writes so that everything looks clearer to you?

Don

It seems the grammar police are expecting the world to change for them. I have never been a conformist. I do what is practical. I could care less what some stuffed shirt demands everyone conform to. People that like to judge can judge away. I know they will no matter what.

 

[xengrifter]

I have never been a conformist. I do what is practical. I could care less what some stuffed shirt demands everyone conform to. People that like to judge can judge away. I know they will no matter what.

Holy Toledo!! LOL
My uncle Chester once made that same rationalization for his being such a BOORISH SLOB!

 

[London Colin]

Language is a living, continually evolving thing. I found a fun description of how this particular aspect of written English has reached its current state -

https://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2013/05/28/do-we-need-the-apostrophe/

A particularly relevant excerpt -

The apostrophe has long been a polarizing issue among otherwise rational people. George Bernard Shaw, a vocal critic of English spelling, wrote cant and hes instead of can’t and he’s, arguing that the apostrophe was entirely redundant: ‘There is not the faintest reason for persisting in the ugly and silly trick of peppering pages with these uncouth bacilli’. Lewis Carroll, on the other hand, inserted additional apostrophes, preferring spellings like sha’n’t and ca’n’t as the proper contractions of shall not and can not.

 

[21forme]

I could care less...

Don - do you need any help getting up off the floor after laughing so hard?

 

[Dummy]

I have the solution. I will use a double apostrophe instead of an apostrophe. Now I can splits 5"s and Don won't have a cow. At least not about the way I don't use an apostrophe.

 

[Tater]

Personally, I appreciate the corrections as long as it is not done in a condescending manner. It appears there are only a few posters on these blackjack forums and that number is shrinking. Therefore, is the standard is as critical as the Flash's of the world make it? Sometimes I wonder if there is a spelling or english forum where we can read about blackjack. Many have cell phones trying to type into a small window with a one finger hunt and peck style.

Back in the day, not everyone was afforded the opportunity for a college education. I remember coming home with my first college recruitment letter. My folks said "you may as well enjoy high school because there is no money for college." That takes the wind out of a persons sails a little. But I was one of the few ever at my school awarded a scholarship. But the advice for academics from my superiors was two words "stay eligible." Damn, to think I made it a multi financial status with no help and hard work. Imagine where I'd be if my apostrophe was always properly located.

 

[London Colin]

Sometimes I wonder if there is a spelling or english forum where we can read about blackjack.

 

[DSchles]

Don - do you need any help getting up off the floor after laughing so hard?

To each his own. In my experience, the vast majority of people who make grammatical or stylistic mistakes all have the same reaction: "Who cares?"

Don

 

[21forme]

To each his own. In my experience, the vast majority of people who make grammatical or stylistic mistakes all have the same reaction: "Who cares?"

I was referring to incorrect idiom syndrome. Yeah, what's the difference - it's six and one half dozen...

 

[Dummy]

To each his own. In my experience, the vast majority of people who make grammatical or stylistic mistakes all have the same reaction: "Who cares?"

Don

Yes. Many of them probably know the accepted way of doing things but choose not to follow it. They have their reasons that they think are more important than following dated historical preferences. Like it or not, language evolves over time.

I was referring to incorrect idiom syndrome.

Hey, don't call me an idiom. Call me Dummy.