Apostrophe Use Question

Day O' · Oct 2, 2011

I think this is correct, but after a long Google search, I’ve found nothing about using a possessive apostrophe without the noun behind it—I’m guessing the possession would be inferred in this example. So if anyone can tell me if this is wrong or right, I would appreciate it.

The house reminded me of my grandmother’s.

dpaterso · Oct 2, 2011

Yup, fine. Context is crystal clear.

Imagine the sentence without the apostrophe. Totally different meaning.

-Derek

Fallen · Oct 2, 2011

'Noun behind it' do you mean 'house' implied at the end?

The house remind me of me grandmother's (house).

With or without 'house' your possesive is fine. If is belongs to someone, that someone get's the apostrophe even if the 'item' is left out:

The house reminded me of my husband's, late Aunt's, Great, great Grandad's (house)

(The house belonged to the 'great, great granded, the great great grandad belonged to the Aunt, the Aunt belonged to the husband...)

Is that what you mean?

Day O' · Oct 2, 2011

Fallen said:
'Noun behind it' do you mean 'house' implied at the end?

The house remind me of me grandmother's (house).

With or without 'house' your possesive is fine. If is belongs to someone, that someone get's the apostrophe even if the 'item' is left out:

The house reminded me of my husband's, late Aunt's, Great, great Grandad's (house)

(The house belonged to the 'great, great granded, the great great Aunt belonged to the husband...)

Is that what you mean?

Yes that's what I meant, but of course the grammar check is saying it's wrong. I know the grammar check is not always right. I just wanted to double check.

Thanks dpaterso and Fallen for your quick responses.

Dr.Gonzo · Oct 2, 2011

Ignore the grammar checker. Please.

Jamesaritchie · Oct 2, 2011

It amazes me how often people say their grammar check tells them a sentence is wrong when my grammar check says it's perfectly fine.

Day O' · Oct 2, 2011

Jamesaritchie said:
It amazes me how often people say their grammar check tells them a sentence is wrong when my grammar check says it's perfectly fine.

What it checks depends on what you have checked in the options. I guess this isn't checked in yours.

Dr. Gonzo, I hear you but there are certain things I miss, like split infinitives, without the check. When it shows them, I see it immediately, but I'd miss them 80 % of the time. And I ignore it if the split sounds better. But I'm very aware the grammar check can be wrong and I don't count on it for everything or for editing.

devilgate · Oct 4, 2011

Day O' said:
there are certain things I miss, like split infinitives, without the check.

Split infinitives are, of course, perfectly acceptable in English. Only those who like to slavishly and unnecessarily go to Latin grammar for their rules, think them wrong.

Apostrophe Use Question

Day O'

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dpaterso

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Fallen

Stood at the coalface

Day O'

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Dr.Gonzo

Wonderfully Irreverent

Jamesaritchie

Day O'

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devilgate