[HP4GU-FAQ] FW: Apostrophes

Neil Ward neilward at dircon.co.uk
Mon Sep 25 06:04:30 UTC 2000


Carole said:

<<<<

>Don't mean to contradict the english major, but.....
>
>> Weasleys' is appropriate for the possessive case -- the Weasleys' car;
>> the Weasleys' home (but Ron Weasley's wand)
>
>This would be right if their name was Weasleys....but its Weasley without
>the s normally...so the possessive would be
>
>Weasley's  not Weasleys' right?

>>>>

***

Penny was right. There is a difference between "(Arthur) Weasley's car" and
"the Weasleys' car" because the latter refers to the whole family.  If their
name was Weasleys, you would probably stick with "the Weasleys' car" to
avoid having to use the more awkward "the Weasleys's car".

Eeek!  I haven't read any HP4GU messages in days, but I am still around,
lurking. :)

Neil (so not the berposter any more)



            Flying-Ford-Anglia

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   "Then, dented, scratched and steaming, 
   the car rumbled off into the darkness, 
   its rear lights blazing angrily"

 [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]

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