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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Apostrophe vs. Hyphen
Hi,
1. I know the following are the correct way of saying them, but I'm confused when do we use the version with an apostrophe over the one with a hyphen?
A. Two weeks' notice
B. Five-day trip to Vegas
2. Which versions are correct?
C. Seven-day season ticket
D. Six-month break clause
E. Two-piece swimwear
F. Seven days' season ticket
G. Six months' break caluse
H. Two pieces' swimwear
I would very much appreciate your help. Thank you.
1. I know the following are the correct way of saying them, but I'm confused when do we use the version with an apostrophe over the one with a hyphen?
A. Two weeks' notice
B. Five-day trip to Vegas
2. Which versions are correct?
C. Seven-day season ticket
D. Six-month break clause
E. Two-piece swimwear
F. Seven days' season ticket
G. Six months' break caluse
H. Two pieces' swimwear
I would very much appreciate your help. Thank you.
Top answer
1 - Both are correct. 2 - All are correct. 3 - H doesn't work.
- 1 - Both are correct.
- 2 - All are correct.
- 3 - H doesn't work.
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5 Answers
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Thank you for your helpful response.
I notice using an apostrophe or a hyphen are almost both acceptable. In my examples A and B, does it mean I can also say:
A. Two-month notice
B. Five days' trip to Vegas
Is there a rule as to when it's more appropriate to use an apostrophe over a hyphen and vice versa?
I notice using an apostrophe or a hyphen are almost both acceptable. In my examples A and B, does it mean I can also say:
A. Two-month notice
B. Five days' trip to Vegas
Is there a rule as to when it's more appropriate to use an apostrophe over a hyphen and vice versa?
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AnonymousThank you for your helpful response.I notice using an apostrophe or a hyphen are almost both acceptable. In my examples A and B, does it mean I can also say:A. Two-month noticeB. Five days' trip to VegasIs there a rule as to when it's more appropriate to use an apostrophe over a hyphen and vice versa?I wouldn't use either A or B here.
The key is
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PhilipThe key is whether the item in question is singular or plural.Sorry, I'm still confused. When you say "item", do you refer to the month/week or stay/notice in your last examples?
Could you please explain further and give more examples? I would really appreciate it.
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5-month trip; 6-day stay; 4-hour layover; 9-month pregnancy: these items are all experssed in the singular with a hyphen.
7 days' requirement; 40 days' quarantine; 6 months' time: these items are all expressed in the plural with an apostrophe.
7 days' requirement; 40 days' quarantine; 6 months' time: these items are all expressed in the plural with an apostrophe.
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