Hello,
It pains me to find most HR people using, sorry abusing English - apostrophe used to show plural, condensed, modern day abbreviated Hinglish (!?!?!), and the list is endless.
No wonder, after a hard day's work we do relax a bit and exchange notes here. But, there must be some sort of protocol to be followed that this is a global forum and people do observe and learn from us.
Let me present an appeal to all SENIOR members - seniority not in the forum, but in actual HR activities to play the role model for thousands of young managers.
Here is a small ready-reckoner for you all.
Happy reading, happy learning.
Best regards,
Padmanaban
98400 29805
[IMG]https://www.citehr.com/misc.php?do=email_dev&email=YXRocmV5YTU0QHlhaG9vLm NvbQ==[/IMG]
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APOSTROPHE - '
The apostrophe has three uses:
Forming possessives of nouns
To see if you need to make a possessive, turn the phrase around and make it an "of the..." phrase. For example:
:)
From India, Madras
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5It pains me to find most HR people using, sorry abusing English - apostrophe used to show plural, condensed, modern day abbreviated Hinglish (!?!?!), and the list is endless.
No wonder, after a hard day's work we do relax a bit and exchange notes here. But, there must be some sort of protocol to be followed that this is a global forum and people do observe and learn from us.
Let me present an appeal to all SENIOR members - seniority not in the forum, but in actual HR activities to play the role model for thousands of young managers.
Here is a small ready-reckoner for you all.
Happy reading, happy learning.
Best regards,
Padmanaban
98400 29805
[IMG]https://www.citehr.com/misc.php?do=email_dev&email=YXRocmV5YTU0QHlhaG9vLm NvbQ==[/IMG]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
APOSTROPHE - '
The apostrophe has three uses:
1) to form possessives of nouns <link updated to site home>Apostrophes are NOT used for possessive pronouns or for noun plurals, including acronyms.
2) to show the omission of letters
3) to indicate certain plurals of lowercase letters. <link updated to site home> ( Search On Cite | Search On Google )
Forming possessives of nouns
To see if you need to make a possessive, turn the phrase around and make it an "of the..." phrase. For example:
the boy's hat = the hat of the boy three days' journey = journey of three daysIf the noun after "of" is a building, an object, or a piece of furniture, then no apostrophe is needed!
room of the hotel = hotel roomOnce you've determined whether you need to make a possessive, follow these rules to create one.
door of the car = car door
leg of the table = table leg
• add 's to the singular form of the word (even if it ends in -s):Thank you!the owner's car James's hat• add 's to the plural forms that do not end in -s:
the children's game the geese's honking• add ' to the end of plural nouns that end in -s:
houses' roofs three friends' letters• add 's to the end of compound words:
my brother-in-law's money• add 's to the last noun to show joint possession of an object:Todd and Anne's apartment
:)
From India, Madras
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Hi Padmanaban,
I thoroughly agree with you and have often found it a little irritable to read or hear grammatically incorrect sentences from highly qualified professionals. As a trainer, I've noticed that it's the love for a language and genuine interest in self-development that will motivate a person to properly and effectively use a language.
Anyway, thank you for your appeal to all senior members on the good usage of English.
Regards,
Jeanne.
From India, Madras
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I thoroughly agree with you and have often found it a little irritable to read or hear grammatically incorrect sentences from highly qualified professionals. As a trainer, I've noticed that it's the love for a language and genuine interest in self-development that will motivate a person to properly and effectively use a language.
Anyway, thank you for your appeal to all senior members on the good usage of English.
Regards,
Jeanne.
From India, Madras
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Hello Jeanne,
You were so polite in your expression - "often found it a little irritable to read", I always find such things just unbearable.
I have been training people since the early eighties, and my observation is that in India, most people think in their mother tongue and speak in English! One such example I quote in my sessions is - "I saw you with my wife yesterday in the shopping mall." Actually, I wanted to say, "While I was in the shopping mall with my wife, I saw you." Wonder how and when these erring professionals are going to refine themselves. Thanks a lot for sharing a common thought.
From India, Madras
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You were so polite in your expression - "often found it a little irritable to read", I always find such things just unbearable.
I have been training people since the early eighties, and my observation is that in India, most people think in their mother tongue and speak in English! One such example I quote in my sessions is - "I saw you with my wife yesterday in the shopping mall." Actually, I wanted to say, "While I was in the shopping mall with my wife, I saw you." Wonder how and when these erring professionals are going to refine themselves. Thanks a lot for sharing a common thought.
From India, Madras
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I am also agreeing with both of you. In fact, I am also one who has started brushing up myself to upgrade and perfect. Being an HR person, we need to be strong enough with proper knowledge and to represent this knowledge, our communication should be perfect.
So friends, as myself being a learner, if you could provide good material for upgrading English language and some material on how to use phrases and some impressive sentences while talking to others, kindly provide it to me.
Expecting your help.
Regards,
Harshada
From India, Pune
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So friends, as myself being a learner, if you could provide good material for upgrading English language and some material on how to use phrases and some impressive sentences while talking to others, kindly provide it to me.
Expecting your help.
Regards,
Harshada
From India, Pune
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Dear Padmanaban,
Thank you for the excellent posting. Your logic is right too. A number of us think in our mother tongue and translate that into English. The same applies when speaking with the local language accent.
However, do not be disheartened if people did not post their views after only 7 people viewed your posting. I had posted messages on Research Methodology and Plagiarism, which have not seen one reply even after 23 views.
Here is an excellent website reference for those who are interested in improving: [Guide to Grammar and Writing](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/)
Narasimhan
PS: Hi all, please drop a note to air your views.
From United Kingdom
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Thank you for the excellent posting. Your logic is right too. A number of us think in our mother tongue and translate that into English. The same applies when speaking with the local language accent.
However, do not be disheartened if people did not post their views after only 7 people viewed your posting. I had posted messages on Research Methodology and Plagiarism, which have not seen one reply even after 23 views.
Here is an excellent website reference for those who are interested in improving: [Guide to Grammar and Writing](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/)
Narasimhan
PS: Hi all, please drop a note to air your views.
From United Kingdom
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Hi,
Sorry, I forgot to give some examples from the site.
[index to the Guide to Grammar and Writing](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm) This site has the index of key words. By clicking on "apostrophe" I got this site [The Apostrophe](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/apostrophe.htm) which has this paragraph:
This Guide has an entire section devoted to a description of possessives. You can click [HERE](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/possessives.htm) to go to that section (and accompanying quizzes) or read this summary.
And by clicking on HERE I found the following:
Some writers will say that the -s after Charles' is not necessary and that adding only the apostrophe (Charles' car) will suffice to show possession. Consistency is the key here: if you choose not to add the -s after a noun that already ends in s, do so consistently throughout your text. William Strunk's *Elements of Style* recommends adding the 's. (In fact, oddly enough, it's Rule Number One in Strunk's ["Elementary Rules of Usage."](http://www.bartleby.com/141/strunk.html#1) You will find that some nouns, especially proper nouns, especially when there are other -s and -z sounds involved, turn into clumsy beasts when you add another s: "That's old Mrs. Chambers's estate." In that case, you're better off with "Mrs. Chambers' estate."
When I was young we did not have this facility (i.e. access to websites). The present generation is very lucky.
Narasimhan
"I am also agreeing with both of you. In fact, I am also one who has started brushing up myself to upgrade and perfect. Being an HR person, we need to be strong enough with proper knowledge and to represent this knowledge, our communication should be perfect.
So friends, as a learner myself, if you could provide good material for upgrading the English language and some tips on how to use phrases and some impressive sentences while talking to people, kindly provide it to me.
Expecting your help.
Regards,
harshada"
From United Kingdom
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Sorry, I forgot to give some examples from the site.
[index to the Guide to Grammar and Writing](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm) This site has the index of key words. By clicking on "apostrophe" I got this site [The Apostrophe](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/apostrophe.htm) which has this paragraph:
This Guide has an entire section devoted to a description of possessives. You can click [HERE](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/possessives.htm) to go to that section (and accompanying quizzes) or read this summary.
And by clicking on HERE I found the following:
Some writers will say that the -s after Charles' is not necessary and that adding only the apostrophe (Charles' car) will suffice to show possession. Consistency is the key here: if you choose not to add the -s after a noun that already ends in s, do so consistently throughout your text. William Strunk's *Elements of Style* recommends adding the 's. (In fact, oddly enough, it's Rule Number One in Strunk's ["Elementary Rules of Usage."](http://www.bartleby.com/141/strunk.html#1) You will find that some nouns, especially proper nouns, especially when there are other -s and -z sounds involved, turn into clumsy beasts when you add another s: "That's old Mrs. Chambers's estate." In that case, you're better off with "Mrs. Chambers' estate."
When I was young we did not have this facility (i.e. access to websites). The present generation is very lucky.
Narasimhan
"I am also agreeing with both of you. In fact, I am also one who has started brushing up myself to upgrade and perfect. Being an HR person, we need to be strong enough with proper knowledge and to represent this knowledge, our communication should be perfect.
So friends, as a learner myself, if you could provide good material for upgrading the English language and some tips on how to use phrases and some impressive sentences while talking to people, kindly provide it to me.
Expecting your help.
Regards,
harshada"
From United Kingdom
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Hi mpads,
Very good post. You have hit the nail on the head.
I used to wonder when I see some of our friends posting something in Hindi on a site that has a global reach for all HR and Training Professionals. Is it right to post in Hindi, why are they doing it, and how do seniors allow this? At the same time, when I see not-so-good English in many posts, I am convinced about their use of Hindi (Hinglish) as a medium!
Anyway, you said it right. English is very important for our jobs, and good communication (spoken and written) is key to effective leadership.
Thanks for starting this thread.
Regards,
Sowmini.
From India, Madras
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Very good post. You have hit the nail on the head.
I used to wonder when I see some of our friends posting something in Hindi on a site that has a global reach for all HR and Training Professionals. Is it right to post in Hindi, why are they doing it, and how do seniors allow this? At the same time, when I see not-so-good English in many posts, I am convinced about their use of Hindi (Hinglish) as a medium!
Anyway, you said it right. English is very important for our jobs, and good communication (spoken and written) is key to effective leadership.
Thanks for starting this thread.
Regards,
Sowmini.
From India, Madras
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Dear Padmanabhan, Thank you for a very useful posting. Please post more such on grammer, we shall try to rectify our errors. Thank you Mr Nash for the useful link :) :)
From India, Hyderabad
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From India, Hyderabad
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Hi Sari,
Please note nashbramhall is my email ID, and Narasimhan is my name. Here is another useful link that I have found: [PowerPoint Presentations](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/powerpoint.htm). Have a nice weekend.
Narasimhan
From United Kingdom
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Please note nashbramhall is my email ID, and Narasimhan is my name. Here is another useful link that I have found: [PowerPoint Presentations](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/powerpoint.htm). Have a nice weekend.
Narasimhan
From United Kingdom
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