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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Physicians Division or Physicians' Division?

Hello all,

In writing about a 'Physicians Division' of our fundraising campaign, do the physicians possess the division, making it 'Physicians' Division'? The intent of the title is to identify the division only within our organization, not to recognize a division created by the physicians. Can anyone back up or correct this reasoning?

Thanks
  

Top answer

Hi, An apostrophe does not always identify possession. Sometimes it shows a relationship, eg 'three years' work'. In your case, 'Physicians' Division' creates a classification.

— Clive

  • Hi, An apostrophe does not always identify possession.
  • Sometimes it shows a relationship, eg 'three years' work'.
  • In your case, 'Physicians' Division' creates a classification.
  • That seems fine.
  • You could also just use one noun to qualify the other, ie 'Physicians Division'.
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4 Answers
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Hi,

An apostrophe does not always identify possession. Sometimes it shows a relationship, eg 'three years' work'. In your case, 'Physicians' Division' creates a classification. That seems fine.

You could also just use one noun to qualify the other, ie 'Physicians Division'. However, if you want to do this, it might be more common, as well as less confusing, to use the singular f
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CliveHi,

An apostrophe does not always identify possession. Sometimes it shows a relationship, eg 'three years' work'. In your case, 'Physicians' Division' creates a classification. That seems fine.

You could also just use one noun to qualify the other, ie 'Physicians Division'. However, if you want to do this, it might be more common, as well as less c
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Hi Philip,

No thanks, I don't want to rile up the baseball fans.

Anyway, I can't even decide if a guy is a ladies man or a ladies' man.

Best wishes, Clive
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Or why it's Veterans Day with no '

Let alone Father's Day as if there were only one father...
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