Apostrophe?

[Stuart48]

Hello, I'm new here and was wondering if anyone can tell me for certain where the apostrophe goes in "Childrens Menu" - before or after the 's'?

Thank you in advance for any answers you can give me, Stuart.

[factor-fiction]

Very strightforward- the menu is for CHILDREN, so the possessive is CHILDREN's menu. If it was for KIDS, however, it would have been KIDS' menu.

The thing I don't understand though is why St Thomas's is sometimes called St Thomas', and for the disciples of Jesus why do we say JESUS' disciples.

But what I'd really like to know is where does the apostrophe go when referring to a plural ending in the letter X. For example for "I was impressed by the size of the gateaux "- would it be "I was impressed by the gateaux' size? "

Let's face it though- sadly the apostrophe is dying out. I'm a teacher and have noticed even other teachers don't seem to use them now, and most pupils certainly don't know what they are for. I suppose we can understand spoken words without apostrophes so maybe we don't need them in written text. Discuss.

[jno]

yes, factor30, the written language is only a means of recording the spoken language, so written words that don't reflect spoken words are always at risk. In theory there's a word called hiccough, but in practice everyone writes hiccup now because that's how it's spoken.

For words that already end in S, it's hard to know how to spell them, or pronounce them. When we speak, do we say St Thomas hospital or St Thomases hospital?

I think the X on the end of gateaux, bureaux etc is pronounced as S (or actually Z, but the same principle). so saying gateauzes would be a bit of a mouthful. So gateaux' is probably right.

[Quizmonkey]

On a similar subject, take a look at the only difference between Newcastle's and Exeter's grounds (the football teams, I mean). Why??!

[DSJ]

CHILDREN'S MENU

[derekpara]

Can I come in on the BOO Appreciation Society meeting, please ?

It is Children's Menu''

Hiya, BOO. I luv yer, too.

D

[brifos99]

Jumbuk is absolutely right - before the "s" - children's menu, ie, the menu of the children.