Vice versa Quote by Strunk Jr., William
““Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's. Follow this rule whatever the final consonant. Thus write: Charles's friend, Burns's poems, the witch's malice. ... The pronomial possessives hers, its, theirs, yours, and ours have no apostrophe. Indefinite pronouns, however, use the apostrophe to show possession: one's rights, somebody else's umbrella. A common error is to write it's for its, or vice versa. The first is a contraction, meaning "it is". The second is a possessive. It's a wise dog that scratches its own fleas.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Elements of Style, 1918
A guide to correct apostrophe usage for possessives and contractions, emphasizing rules and common errors.
In simple terms: How to use apostrophes correctly.
Key Takeaway
Apply apostrophe rules consistently.
Themes
grammar
punctuation
writing
style
English
Mood
educational
precise
Type
instructional
reference
When to use this quote
- editing documents
- teaching English
- proofreading
- writing essays
- copyediting
Key Concepts
possessive forms
contractions
indefinite pronouns
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between possessive and contraction in writing?
- When might you intentionally break the rule for stylistic effect?
A Different Perspective
Apostrophes can be ambiguous in spoken language, leading to confusion.
