Spelling puzzle.

[RobertJ.]

I don't know if it's true, but I've heard it said that the crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe.

 

[Pete99004]

'An' is used before a word beginning with a vowel or word that sounds like it begins with a vowel.

...an apple, an envelope, an S (sounds like es), an L (el),

In your example it depends on how you intend to say the phrase. A Smith & Wesson would be correct.
An S&W (Es & Double U) would be correct.

What Mickey D said above is correct.

Re. 's as originally questioned - the statement "BTW, my model 27's a dream to shoot." this is correct as typed - the 's is used to hyphenate the statement "BTW, my model 27 is a dream to shoot."

Either way is correct, at least per Miss Smaith's English Class back in 1969. She was almost 70 years old back then and I'm confident she knew everything there was to know about the English language.


Pete

PS - My gripe is using "there" for "their" - I see this quit a bit on the forum.

 

[LEO918]

The word "then" used where "than" is appropriate. Like nails on a chalk board.

 

[Rule3]

Boy we sure does get some goodly advise hear on this forum, what than is the plural of apostrophe??

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Did y'all know that that little plastic thingie on the tip of your shoelace is called an Aglet???

 

[jlrhiner]

Did y'all know that that little plastic thingie on the tip of your shoelace is called an Aglet???

Yes.................

 

[OFT II]

If y'all need any helpin with yer grammar y'all jus ax me.

 

[diamonback68]

The word "then" used where "than" is appropriate. Like nails on a chalk board.

That one is my number one pet peeve. Arrrggghhhh!

 

[bricker]

Did y'all know that that little plastic thingie on the tip of your shoelace is called an Aglet???

I almost made it through an entire day without learning something. Whew! that was close!

 

[diamonback68]

Did y'all know that that little plastic thingie on the tip of your shoelace is called an Aglet???

Where they named after baby eagles?

 

[mjr]

The word "then" used where "than" is appropriate. Like nails on a chalk board.

If that really upsets you, than you need to get over it.

 

[joeintexas]

Boy we sure does get some goodly advise hear on this forum, what than is the plural of apostrophe??

Apostrophi would be my guess but then (than) I can't be sure, I didn't even know about the applegate thingy on my sneakers.

 

[ditrina]

I'll take shoe laces for $1000..Caj..

 

[LVSteve]

"A S&W" vs "An S&W" seems to be one that is still in debate. There is a hardcore that says you use "A" as S&W is "merely" an abbreviation and we should (would,could?) say Smith and Wesson. I have come up against this with Technical Writer folk.

Now if you want nails on a chalkboard, see how many times you can spot "breaks" when the author means "brakes". It happens on lots of car and rifles boards.

 

[OFT II]

Ain't that kinda like a double plural such as "rifles boards"?

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

i've seen it so much it doesn't look right withOUT the apostrophe.

Same here, even though I know that SaxonPig is right. When push comes to shove, I do it the right way, but I usually construct my sentences so that the issue doesn't come up. BTW, love those Model 10 pistols!

 

[redlevel]

One I don't like is when someone is going to "try and" do something. Proper usage would be "try to."

example; "I am going to try and improve my collection of Model 10s this year."

Should be, "I am going to try to improve my collection of Model 10s this year."

Hmmmmm . . . . . one would not say, "I have five brother-in-laws." Rather, "I have five brothers-in-law."
Should one say, "I have five Models 10." ???

 

[handejector]

The rules change.
Seriously.
Old guys like me were taught that many proper nouns, numerals, decades(1930's), letters (A,a,B,b), etc, were pluralized by adding apostrophe S's.
"I have four mikes on the stage."
"I have four Mike's in my class."

What is the plural of 'Sally'?
Sallies?
Sallys?
Sally's?

I think also that I remember numbers used 's for plural. Otherwise, you're multiplying. Apparently, this has changed.

This clearly shows there are FIVE beauties:
"We have five 10's in this beauty pageant."

"We have five 10s in this beauty pageant." could mean there are simply 50 ugly entrants.

This page shows the old style at bottom- http://www.englishcorner.vacau.com/grammar/rules/nounplz.pdf

Seriously, I Googled a bit, and the rules really have changed. I guess it's just the continued dumbing-down of society.

 

[handejector]

"A S&W" vs "An S&W" seems to be one that is still in debate. There is a hardcore that says you use "A" as S&W is "merely" an abbreviation and we should (would,could?) say Smith and Wesson. I have come up against this with Technical Writer folk.

Now if you want nails on a chalkboard, see how many times you can spot "breaks" when the author means "brakes". It happens on lots of car and rifles boards.

YOU are disqualified from commenting further.
We know your English, an it aint fare for ya to talk bout talkin to Us! We aint got no chanse!

 

[handejector]

what than is the plural of apostrophe??

apostropheses's'
(dummy)

Did y'all know that that little plastic thingie on the tip of your shoelace is called an Aglet???

Your wife been watching Jeopardy again?