English Language Writing Skills

By Danso Kwasi Nti Samuel (DAS). Study the complete course source, examine every model and practise alongside Professor Jarvis.

Course printed page 48 PDF page 54 of 505

For tables, matching columns, IPA and original formatting, open the course PDF above.

BECOMES: Linda Simpson's prescription for the economy—lower interest rates, higher

employment, and less government spending—was rejected by the president's

administration.

The dash can also be used to attach material to the end of a sentence when there is a clear

break in the continuity of the sentence or when an explanation is being introduced.

EXAMPLE: The president will be unable to win enough votes for another term of office—

unless, of course, he can reduce unemployment and the deficit soon.

EXAMPLE: It was a close call—the sudden gust of wind pushed the helicopter to within

inches of the power line.

APOSTROPHE

Apostrophes are used to show possession or to indicate where a letter has been omitted to

form a contraction.

To show possession, add an apostrophe and an -s to singular nouns or indefinite pronouns

that end in one or body.

EXAMPLE: Susan's wrench, anyone's problem

Add only an apostrophe for plural possessive nouns ending in -s.

EXAMPLE: my parents' car, the musicians' instruments

Add an apostrophe and an -s for plural possessive nouns that do not end in -s.

EXAMPLE: the men's department, my children's toys

Add an apostrophe and an -s for singular possessive nouns that end in -s.

EXAMPLE: Chris's cookbook, the business's system

Do not use an apostrophe with possessive personal pronouns including yours, his, hers, its,

ours, their, and whose.

Apostrophes are also used in contractions, two words which have been combined into one,

to mark where the missing letter or letters would be.