Punctuation

Yesterday Jane from Augusta, Maine, wrote me with this question: A recent article in our newspaper used the word “multi-hypenate” to describe a person. It’s not in any of our dictionaries, including big, little, or medical. I have searched the Internet to find a meaning.… continue reading

Is it “Presidents” Day or “Presidents’” Day? It’s both. The holiday actually celebrates the lives of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the 1st and the 16th president of the US, respectively. Washington’s birthday is February 22. Lincoln’s birthday is February 12. Because the holiday celebrates… continue reading

In all the classes on grammar and punctuation I teach, the punctuation mark that causes the most confusion is the apostrophe. It’s the little mark used to show possession: one employee’s house two employees’ cars I have already written Apostrophe Help Please! and More Apostrophe… continue reading

Paula, an executive assistant, wrote to ask me to continue the discussion of apostrophes. She wants to know why boss’s has an apostrophe and an s but Chris’ has only an apostrophe. The truth is that Chris takes just an apostrophe only if you follow… continue reading

I just received an email from Heather, who is desperate to understand correct apostrophe use for possessives. Relax, Heather. It isn’t as tricky as it seems. We can cover the basics in just four simple rules. 1. Generally, we do not use apostrophes to make… continue reading