Bridget Jones's Diary

[john_p]

Shouldn't it be Bridget Jones' Diary ?

Yes it is a slow day at work.

[lotuslad]

And why would that be?

[john_p]

because there is only one Bridget Jones, and the diary belongs to her?

[Plotloss]

Either way is valid I think...

[lotuslad]

john_p said:

because there is only one Bridget Jones, and the diary belongs to her?

That's what it says though. Many people lop off the s, mainly for cosmetic reasons, while others staunchly apply the s. I used to be in the former group, but was convinced back into the s fold. Say the title out loud - how would you spell it?

[Iria]

Isn't it with group names as in "The Jones's car"? There is a rule there somewhere, anyone has big a grammar book around? This makes me realize I didn't pay any attention at all during uni, peh, it is too late now.

[pdV6]

I'm with john_p on this one...

[pdV6]

lotuslad said:

john_p said: because there is only one Bridget Jones, and the diary belongs to her? That's what it says though. Many people lop off the s, mainly for cosmetic reasons, while others staunchly apply the s. I used to be in the former group, but was convinced back into the s fold.

Have some courage of your convictions. The "special" rule for words that already end in "s" is that you don't add another after the apostrophe.

lotuslad said:

Say the title out loud - how would you spell it?

More proof, if any were needed!
You should say "Bridget Jones Diary" and not "Bridget Jonesez Diary"

>> Edited by pdV6 on Monday 21st March 15:10

[lotuslad]

I'm fighting the s's corner. Her name is Jones. It's her diary. Thus: Jones's diary. Would you say Peter' diary?

[egoboss]

pdV6 said:

lotuslad said: john_p said: because there is only one Bridget Jones, and the diary belongs to her? That's what it says though. Many people lop off the s, mainly for cosmetic reasons, while others staunchly apply the s. I used to be in the former group, but was convinced back into the s fold. Have some courage of your convictions. The "special" rule for words that already end in "s" is that you don't add another after the apostrophe. lotuslad said: Say the title out loud - how would you spell it? More proof, if any were needed! You should say "Bridget Jones Diary" and not "Bridget Jonesez Diary" >> Edited by pdV6 on Monday 21st March 15:10

samuel pepys never had these problems.

[Alex]

It should be "Bridget Jones's Diary".

"s'" is only used when indicating multiple possession as in "Footballers' wives".

[lotuslad]

Though admittedly it is an informal rule in this case, whereby whatever flows better is used. Jesus's is rather clumsy, with its three syllables running into each other, but Jones's flows well enough. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

In my opinion, the only way it would be Jones' diary would be if it was the Jones family's diary. As there is only one Jones associated with this diary, it is Jones's.

[john_p]

I reckon it's Jone's

[shirley temple]

I'm going for a beer

[egoboss]

it should have been entitled "the diary of bridget jones" - we'd not had cause for any of this pedantry, then ...

ps, wasn't the sequel rather, er, "crap"?

:-)

[egoboss]

Youth Gone Wild said:

What about capital letters?

sometimes. if business/formal. i assume when in PH typing mode (there you go, a couple of caps for you) that i am amongst virtual friends, and i like the uncluttered, informal syntax that it enables.

capital letters are ugly, but an evil necessity in commerce and stuff.

:-)