Thanks to all who came to my aid AGAIN. This is what I love about this site. It's like having my own group of friends right here in my house helping me whenever I need something that I cannot figure out myself. From my heart, THANK YOU. Betty
A link to the grammer of 's
Hugs Bev
in the long run of things does it matter enought to up set every one Betty's the right way Diamond
I really admire anyone that learns our language! We sure do have a lot of different ways to say things! But the singular/plural info is correct.
Many great answers!
Betty's kitchen = one Betty owns one kitchen
Bettys' kitchen = more than one person named Betty owns one single kitchen
But it can be a contraction if used -- Betty's on her way to the kitchen. The apostrophe replaces the "i" in "is"
Recently passed my University advanced English Writting class with high marks. Not bad for an "non-traditional student" LOL
However, I cannot spell and usually rely on Word to check my work. Writing only has one "t"
Betty, I'm glad you got the help you needed.
Kitty, my fingers don't work either. LOL
Oh well! It is faster and often easier to use Windows Speech Recognition instead of relying on my fingers. LOL
MJDG,
My English professor is a self-described “stickler for proper English” and I had what she called “some problem areas” in my papers relating to punctuation.
She offered to tutor me.
Now, if I could just fix my dyslexia so I could spell. LOL
Betty's = possession by one Betty;
Bettys' = possession by more than one Betty.
Betty's IS NOT A CONTRACTION!! In it's place you would not say "Betty is...." A contraction is when 2 words are blended to look like one and the apostrophe replaces the missing letters. E.g. "I don't like eggs." = I do not like eggs. the "o" in not is replaced by the apostrophe. QED
Betty's is correct form to show possession by Betty. The other way, Bettys', is the form for more than one Betty...as in: "5 Bettys' hands were in the mix!" ok? Grammar 101 whenever you need it:>)
I too feel the 's is for letter/s missing.
so to me Betty's = Betty is
... therefore I always put the apostrophe after the s - that's how I was taught.
However., I was also taught...
'If in doubt leave it out' So you could just ditch the apostrophe altogether !
Bettys' kitchen would only be correct if there are several Bettys you are talking about and they own something (rare to use it like that.) "The childrens' room" for a room that belongs to many children. The apostrophe goes after a plural if it's a possesive plural. Something belonging to one Betty would be Betty's.
The genitive is formed by adding 's after singular nouns and plural nouns that lack s - the boy's bike, the children's room.
An apostrophe only (') is added to regular plurals - the boys' bikes.
In British English the 's ending can also be added to phrases - the Prince of Wales's speech, someone else's problem (called group genitive).
added to phrases - the Price of Wales's speech, someone else's problem (called possessive genitive).
thanks to all, this is like a refresher course in school which was many, many moons ago. Betty
Yes, Betty's kitchen is correct. If your name is Elizabeth it would read Elizabeth's kitchen. Helen is correct about the absense of a letter, but in this case it is for ownership.
We were taught the apostrphe was to denote the taking away of a letter as in isn't(is not), wasn't(was not). So "Betty's kitchen" would read as "betty is kitchen". The apostophe after the 's' denoted ownership but I believe is not really used as such today. SO Bettys kitchen would have No apostrophe.
huga Helen
As grammer and punctuation has changed over the years, we all have different ideas as to the correct way of spelling. why not just do it the way you feel comfortable. My office documents are typed with out many of the commas and apostrophes we once used. 1st February. Now written as 01 February. No indentation in documents, unless making points. Each country has its own method,all very confusing.
hugs Helen
1st February. Now written as 01 February. No indentation in documents, unless making points. Each country has its own method,all very confusing.
hugs Helen
Reading from my book "A Concise Guide to Modern Grammar" by P.Walker - "An apostrophe is used to show ownership. It goes after the owners name and before the s." This would mean that Betty's kitchen would be the correct choice. Hope this helps. Coral
I'm not English teacher, and being from Texas we spell like we talk! LOL I think Betty's is correct, because it shows ownership. It's your kitchen..Others may come along and explain better than I can.
Hugs!!
I'm in agreement with you. It would only be Bettys' if it was collectively owned by lots of Betties! Aint the English language fun!