Comments on: No, the University of Utah Did Not Bribe Me to Post This

By: Eric Boysen

Eric Boysen — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:42:09 +0000

The caps on “Men and Women” are designed to catch the eye of the reader to reinforce the coeducational nature of the institution — It’s an ad, not a story or news report!

As for me, while I know the difference between “its” and “it’s”, I’d rather use “it’s” as the possessive and “’tis” as the contraction. I must confess I lay and lie indiscriminately. The distinction between “Might” and “May” is easy: “Might” is the ability to apply force, and “May” is the fifth month of the year. How anyone might confuse them is beyond me.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:20:07 +0000

Researcher, I’d go lay down, but I don’t have any down to lay.

By: Rameumptom

Rameumptom — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:49:20 +0000

Doesn’t the monument at Brigham Young’s birthplace state he had “superb equipment”? Is this to say that his namesake university slipped in quality since his birth in 1801?

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1088030540032324738osUdAb

I mean, “adequate equipment” just doesn’t seem as impressive….

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:40:43 +0000

Researcher, I might lie down and get some rest – but it’s not even midnight yet.

By: Researcher

Researcher — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:24:57 +0000

Oh my goodness, Mark B., don’t worry about missing that apostrophe! I didn’t see it until I looked at the ad a couple of times, and I’ve spent years editing copy.

Besides, isn’t it getting late in your area of the country? (Ray, too!) Don’t you think it might be time to go lay down and get some rest?

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:17:43 +0000

On the other hand, if they will conjugate lay and lie correctly I’ll let them put an apostrophe wherever they want.

Amen – or, my current pet peeve, use “might” and “may” correctly. There is a difference, people – and it’s not slight! Anyone may quote me, and it might happen, but I’m not holding my breath – since many things that may happen probably won’t (even though they might).

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:55:59 +0000

Well, “ever”? I dunno ’bout that. But there have been plenty of examples of writers more skilled than publicity flacks who have slipped an apostrophe into the possessive “its”. Maybe they didn’t get the memo.

On the other hand, if they will conjugate lay and lie correctly I’ll let them put an apostrophe wherever they want.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:19:27 +0000

PDoE, Blackstone notwithstanding, possessive pronouns should never have an apostrophe, and haven't correctly had apostrophes since, well, ever. Just as it's [that's a contraction] his rather than hi's, it's [again a contraction] also correctly its and yours and hers and theirs and ours.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:15:49 +0000

I’m no Ute! I’m an equal-opportunity snickerer! This would have been posted with as much glee had it been the other way ’round! (Besides, there’s a three-part ad campaign I’ll put up sooner or later where the Y gets the last laugh. I think.)

By: Proud Daughter of Eve

Proud Daughter of Eve — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:14:31 +0000

When did the use of the apostrophe change? I swear I was taught in elementary school that “it’s” should have an apostrophe. It wasn’t until after college that I started seeing this nonsense (no, I’m not biased ) about not having it when it’s possessive.