court reporting: bad grammar/ good punctuation...i did not have the chance to speak with him when i...

9/7/2015

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margieholdscourt.comall rights reserved

Court Reporting:Bad Grammar/

Good Punctuation©


margieholdscourt.comall rights reserved 3


THE COMMA THAT SEPARATES

I have already sent it, sir.

It is dated September 22, 2014.

We were on our way to Provo, Utah.

4

No part of this material may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of Margie Wakeman Wells.

All rights reserved.

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THE COMMA THAT SETS OFF

I have already sent it, sir, to all of the

people that are involved.

It is dated September 22, 2014, and

was mailed that very day.

We were on our way to Provo, Utah,

to visit family.

5


A PAIR OF COMMAS MEANS

Putting commas around an element

simply means, at the most basic

level, that the element can be

removed from the sentence and that

there is still a sentence.

Discussion

6


Show that to us, Counsel, so that I

am sure of what you are saying.

He was derelict, in my judgment, in

fulfilling his duty.

She was interested, I believe, in the

truth.

7


A PAIR OF COMMAS DOES NOT MEAN

A pair of commas does not mean

that the element is “nonessential” or

that it is a “parenthetical.” Though

these terms might apply, they are

not the only reason to surround

something with commas.

Discussion

8



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It took place in Springfield, Illinois,

and not in Springfield, Ohio, on the

15th of last month.

The information was in the July 19,

2012, letter and not in the July 19,

2013, letter.

9



Judge, I am asking that you grant us

a continuance.

I am asking that you grant us a

continuance, Judge.

I am asking that you grant us a

continuance, Judge, so that I might

investigate this new evidence.

11


However, I had spoken with him

about the incident.

I had spoken with him about the

incident, however.

I had spoken with him about the

incident, however, before I knew the

full story.

12



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He entered the room very quietly,

during the discussion.

He entered the room very quietly


He entered the room, very quietly,


14


He called early in the day, with the

news about her injury.

He called early in the day with the


He called, early in the day, with the


15


They were involved in case you don’t

know, in another accident.

They were involved in case you don’t

know in another accident.

They were involved, in case you don’t

know, in another accident.

16



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She will earn by the way, over

$100,000.

She will earn by the way over

$100,000.

She will earn, by the way, over

$100,000.

17



I did not have the chance to speak

with him when I arrived that night.

When I arrived that night, I did not

have the chance to speak with him.

I did not have the chance, when I

arrived that night, to speak with him.

19


She was unemployed at the time of

the incident we are discussing.

At the time of the incident we are

discussing, she was unemployed.

She was, at the time of the incident

we are discussing, unemployed.

20



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Punctuate a fragment that stands

for a complete thought the same

way you would punctuate the

complete thought.

Rule

22


Q What time was it?

A Around 10:00. We were late.

Q Who was driving?

A Bob. Joe had been drinking.

Q How far away were you standing?

A About 50 feet. I was close.

23


Q Could you be any more dense?

MS. ROSS: Objection. He is

badgering his own witness.

THE COURT: Sustained.

Recess at this time. Back at 3:00

sharp.

24



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Would this be a good time for a

semicolon?

NO!

Discussion

25



Now I want to talk about the 10th.

Now, I want to talk about the 10th.

27


We were therefore very much

disgusted with their attitude.

We were, therefore, very much

disgusted with their attitude.

28



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It was obviously an error on his part.

It was, obviously, an error on his

part.

29


And again I was confronted with a

very difficult choice.

And, again, I was confronted with a

very difficult choice.

30



She had to have the test, too.

She had to have the test too.

He was a suspect, also.

He was a suspect also.

Bacteria was found there as well.

32



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We moved there in June, 2012.

We moved there in June 2012.

September, 2004, is the year the

twins were born.

September 2004 is the year the twins

were born.

33


I work for I.B.M.

I work for IBM.

He needs ten CEU’s by June.

She needs ten CEUs by June.

34


I spoke with Jack Macdonald, Jr.

I spoke with Jack Macdonald Jr.

Joseph Ray, Sr., spoke to her.

Joseph Ray Sr. spoke to her.

She married Hamilton Brown III.

35




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words

phrases

clauses

37


Definition

A “prepositional phrase” is a group

of related words that DOES NOT

have a subject and verb and that,

as a unit, has a function in the

sentence.

38


…on the corner…

…in the afternoon…

…since Friday…

…into the room…

…up the road…

…to the judge…

39


…in the meantime…

…for a while…

…of these magazines…

…due to the rain…

…because of the accident…

…next to the door…

40



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Definition

A “dependent clause” is a group of

related words that HAS a subject

and a verb; does not stand alone

because of an introductory word;

and, as a unit, has a function in the

sentence.

41


She was not at home.

…because she was not at home…

…if she was not at home…

…since she was not at home…

…whether she was not at home…

…although she was not at home…

42


It was left open.

…after it was left open…

…unless it was left open…

…as it was left open…

…where it was left open…

…that it was left open…

43




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…after the meeting…

…after the meeting ended…

…because of the recession…

…because there is a recession…

…as for John…

…as John is not here…

45


…since last week…

…since we met last week…

…before lunch…

…before we ate lunch…

…until Friday…

…until I see him Friday…

46



When there is one short

prepositional phrase that is a

simple modifier at the

beginning of the sentence, do

not use punctuation after it.

Rule

48



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After our early lunch we intended to

inquire about it.

At noon she called to tell us.

During late May he left on vacation.

In the morning we will go to court.

On June 5 the bank will foreclose.

49


Count the number of words?

I don’t think so.

Discussion

50


…on a hot day…

…during those preliminary

discussions…

51




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In 2012, 450,000 cartons were

delivered to the company.

In general, elections were held on

Tuesdays.

For Arthur, Joseph would do

anything.

53


According to her, there was no one

qualified for the job.

In my opinion, he should be court

martialed.

To his recollection, the money was

not enough.

54


At any rate, it did not make a

difference.

By the way, how much did they

charge?

On the other hand, it was not a great

fit for me.

55




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When there are two

prepositional phrases at the

beginning of the sentence, put a

comma after the second one.

Rule

57


After our lunch on Friday, we

intended to inquire about it.

At noon on the 21st, she called to tell

us.

During May of that year, he left on

vacation.

58



Definition

A “dependent clause” is a group of

related words that HAS a subject

and a verb; does not stand alone

because of an introductory word;

and, as a unit, has a function in the

sentence.

60



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after unless than

although so (so that) though

before when if

since where as (if)

until whether once

because provided that while

62


…where she was sitting…

…whom he calls…

…as I will not be there…

…after you hear the interview…

…until she receives treatment…

…that the bank settles it…

63




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I have not talked to him since the

accident happened.

The company will give us the news

before the day ends on Friday.

65


He began to talk to me in a

demeaning manner about the details

of the meeting with his superiors in

the department as if I were a

colleague of his and on his side in the

argument.

66



Since the accident happened, I have

not talked to him.

Before the day ends on Friday, the

company will give us the news.

68



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As if I were a colleague of his and on

his side in the argument, he began to

talk to me in a demeaning manner

about the details of the meeting with

his superiors in the department.

69



I have not talked to him, since the

accident happened, about the

circumstances.

The company will give us the news,

before the day ends on Friday, about

the upcoming cuts.

71


He began to talk to me, as if I were a

colleague of his and on his side in the

argument, in a demeaning manner

about the details of the meeting with

his superiors in the department.

72



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When it is an adverb clause, where it

is in relation to what it modifies

matters.

Where it is determines the

punctuation.

Discussion

73


The car went through the light after it

turned red.

After it turned red, the car went

through the light.

The car went through the light, after

it turned red, and hit the pole.

74


I did not have the chance to speak

with him before I left for my trip.

Before I left for my trip, I did not

have the chance to speak with him.

I did not have the chance, before I

left for my trip, to speak with him.

75




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We could not close the books since

we did not have files when the

business day ended.

We could not close the books [since

we did not have files (when the

business day ended)].

77


We could not close the books since

we did not have files when the

business day ended.

We could not close the books since,

when the business day ended, we did

not have files.

78


We could not, since we did not have

files when the business day ended,

close the books.

We could not, since, when the

business day ended, we did not have

files, close the books.

79


Since we did not have files when the

business day ended, we could not

close the books.

Since, when the business day ended,

we did not have files, we could not

close the books.

80



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The boss would have been upset if he

had known about the altercation

before he left on vacation.

The boss would have been upset [if

he had known about the altercation

(before he left on vacation)].

81


The boss would have been upset if he

had known about the altercation

before he left on vacation.

The boss would have been upset if,

before he left on vacation, he had

known about the altercation.

82


If he had known about the altercation

before he left on vacation, the boss

would have been upset.

If, before he left on vacation, he had

known about the altercation, the boss


83


The boss, if he had known about the

altercation before he left on vacation,


The boss, if he had known, before he

left on vacation, about the

altercation, would have been upset.

84



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When two sentences are joined

by a coordinate conjunction –

“and,” “but,” “or,” “nor” – use a

comma before the conjunction.

Rule

86


The meeting was slated for Friday at

1:00, but it had to be postponed.

The meeting was slated for Friday at

1:00 but had to be postponed.

87


I knew it was going to be serious,

and I prepared myself the best I

could.

I knew it was going to be serious and

prepared myself the best I could.

88



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When two sentences are joined

by a coordinate conjunction –

“and,” “but,” “or,” “nor” – use a


Rule

90


Sometimes we have to tweak the

rule for court reporting.

Discussion

91


NO SUBJECT AND VERB IN FRONT OF

THE CONJUNCTION

It -- on the front, but I didn’t see it.

She got -- on Friday, and we waited

to see her until late in the evening.

92



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INTERRUPTION THAT MAKES AN

INCOMPLETE SENTENCE AFTER THE

CONJUNCTION

I called, but he didn’t answer the –

It ended, and she came in to --

93


A REPEATED WORD AFTER THE

CONJUNCTION

We were walking near the road, but I

did -- did not see the hole.

The game was over, and it happened

as she -- she attempted to exit.

94


REWRITTEN FOR REPORTING

When there is an independent

subject and verb after a

coordinate conjunction – “and,”

“but,” “or,” “nor” – use a


Rule

95



and …stuff…stuff…stuff…stuff… I


I knew it was going to be serious and

…stuff…stuff…stuff…stuff…


96



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and after I spoke with the attending

physician regarding the test results

that showed a large mass on the

outside of my right leg just below the

knee, I prepared myself the best I

could.

97


I knew it was going to be serious

and, after I spoke with the attending

physician regarding the test results

that showed a large mass on the

outside of my right leg just below the

knee, prepared myself the best I

could.

98


We called ahead for hotel rooms, but

…stuff…stuff…stuff…stuff… we

decided to delay the trip.

We called ahead for hotel rooms but

…stuff…stuff…stuff…stuff… decided

to delay the trip.

99


We called ahead for hotel rooms, but

once we found out that they were

outrageously expensive and that we

would have to book them for the

entire holiday weekend, we decided

to delay the trip.

100



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We called ahead for hotel rooms but,

once we found out that they were

outrageously expensive and that we

would have to book them for the

entire holiday weekend, decided to

delay the trip.

101



We left early in the day on July 5, a

Friday, and Sam, Maria, and Jeanie

took off, I believe, later in the day.

103


We left early in the day on July 5, a

Friday; and Sam, Maria, and Jeanie

took off, I believe, later in the day.

104



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I spoke to Dr. Roberts, who gave me

the bad news about Mom, but before

I could even call anyone, Katie, my

sister, had called everyone in town,

which inundated me with phone calls,

texts, and emails.

105


I spoke to Dr. Roberts, who gave me

the bad news about Mom; but before

I could even call anyone, Katie, my

sister, had called everyone in town,

which inundated me with phone calls,

texts, and emails.

106



My sister called early in the evening,

and she told me the news about our

mother.

108



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Think of the conjunction sitting

between the two sentences. It is

NOT part of either clause.

SUBJ VERB | and | SUBJ VERB

Discussion

109


When an adverb clause is right after

the “and,” it BEGINS the second

independent clause; that is, it is at

the beginning.

Discussion

110



and after we chatted about a few

other things, she told me the news

about our dad.

111


When there is no subject after the

“and,” the adverb clause is in the

middle and takes commas around it.

Discussion

112



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My sister called early in the evening

and, after we chatted about a few

other things, told me the news about

our dad.

113


The company closed in June, but

before the books were closed, it paid

all of the outstanding debts.

The company closed in June but,

before the books were closed, paid all

of the outstanding debts.

114




and during the call she told me the

news about our dad.


and during the call told me the news

about our dad.

116



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The company closed in June, but in

July it paid all of the outstanding

debts.

The company closed in June but in

July paid all of the outstanding debts.

117




and at the end of the call, she told me

the news about our dad.


and, at the end of the call, told me

the news about our dad.

119


The company closed in June, but in

July of the same year, it paid all of

the outstanding debts.

The company closed in June but, in

July of the same year, paid all of the

outstanding debts.

120



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My sister called early in the evening;

and, by the way, she told me the

news about our dad.


and, by the way, told me the news

about our dad.

122


The company closed in June; but, to

their credit, it paid all of the

outstanding debts.

The company closed in June but, to

their credit, paid all of the

outstanding debts.

123




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Definition

A “parenthetical” is an element

(word, phrase, clause)

that does not impact

the meaning of the sentence.

125


She was, by the way, also a jerk.

Gee, I haven’t seen her in years.

He just didn’t listen, in my judgment.

Clearly, this is a case of not caring.

It didn’t, however, seem to matter.

126


A parenthetical can be

moved around within

the sentence.

Discussion

127


Of course, I intended to speak up.

I, of course, intended to speak up.

I intended, of course, to speak up.

I intended to speak up, of course.

128



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A parenthetical can be dropped

anywhere

into any sentence that we use.

Discussion

129


Of course, his office was a mess.

Of course, my foot took the hit.

Of course, his attorney called me.

Of course, I applied for the job.

130


ALWAYS surround a parenthetical

with punctuation.

Rule

131


She was, well, also a jerk.

And, gee, I haven’t seen her in years.

Are you saying, then, that he just

didn’t listen.

132



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She was, by the way, employed by

our company for ten years.

On the other hand, he was not hired.

We stood there and continued to

wait, at any rate.

133


And, yes, we were concerned.

I wanted to make it work but, no,

wasn’t willing to go so far as that.

She would not listen; so, no, we did

not continue the meeting.

134


However, it just didn’t work.

We sent it, however, just in case it

was not too late.

I was not personally involved,

however.

135


He was, in my judgment, more than

competent to do the job.

To my recollection, it was a Friday.

It was not going to work, based on

the tests that were done.

136



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He was, like, about 15.

They walked, like, you know,

together for, like, three blocks.

He, like, really, you know, was alone.

Therefore, she, you know, was, like,

gee, getting, you know, near, say, 50.

138



There was really nothing else to do,

secondly.

It was, first, the thing she felt she

had to do.

140



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These were the reasons for the

sequence of events: First, we had to

go there; second, we had…

These were the reasons for the

sequence of events: first, the need to

go there; second, the need to…

141


She resigned because she was

pregnant and she was sick and she

needed less stress.

She resigned because, one, she was

pregnant and, two, she was sick and,

three, she needed less stress.

142


She resigned because she was

pregnant, she was sick, and she

needed less stress.

She resigned because, one, she was

pregnant; two, she was sick; and,

three, she needed less stress.

143


…these: Initially, we had to go…

…because, next, she didn’t want to…

…plan; and, lastly, it was not…

…nothing else to do, finally.

144



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that is

i.e.

for example

e.g.

namely

to wit

for instance

in other words

146


…that day, that is, Friday…

…no one; in other words, she was

alone…

…the office? For example, at work?

…with them -- i.e., Mary, Mark, and

Teresa -- on that Friday…

147


At the end

with a FRAGMENT after it,

use a pair of commas

around the parenthetical.

Rule

148



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…that month, that is, August…

…her sister, in other words, Jan…

…my company, i.e., Microsoft...

…for that car, for example, for that

Toyota…

149


At the end

with a SENTENCE after it,

use a semicolon in front of

the parenthetical and

a comma after it.

Rule

150


…that month; that is, it was August

that we were there.

…her sister; in other words, we saw

Jan that night.

…my company; i.e., Microsoft has

joined in the effort.

151


At the end

with a LIST after it,

use a colon in front of

the parenthetical and

a comma after it.

Rule

152



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…several months: for example, June,

September, and November.

…her siblings: in other words, Joan,

Jeanine, Jack, and Jerry.

…all three bases: that is, first,

second, and third.

153


After a question,

use a question mark

in front of the parenthetical

and a comma after it.

Rule

154


Did you talk to him when he arrived?

That is, when he came in from the

trip.(?)

Who helped with the work? In other

words, did the financials.(?)

Who was standing there? For

instance, your boss.(?)

155


At the end,

when the sentence has concluded

and the parenthetical renames the

subject,

use a dash in front of the

parenthetical

and a comma after it.

Rule

156



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The CEO of the company had

responsibilities beyond what the rest

of us had -- that is, Ronald Harris.

The surgeon rendered an opinion that

was different from Dr. Ross’s -- that

is, Dr. Mencher.

157


In the middle

of the sentence,

use a pair of dashes

around the parenthetical.

Rule

158


The accountant we had -- that is,

Reynaldo Martin -- was charged with

a felony in the case.

We owned two cars -- that is, a VW

and a Ford -- before this incident.

Similar surgeries -- e.g., tonsils,

appendix -- are common.

159


This follows the rule that says, any

time an element in the middle needs

commas around it but also has

punctuation inside it, replace the

commas around it with dashes.

Discussion

160



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The word “that,” when it has no

function within a clause, can be

omitted from the clause.

Discussion

162


I worked so hard with the move that

I pulled a muscle in my back.

I worked so hard with the move I

pulled a muscle in my back.

I worked so hard with the move. I

pulled a muscle in my back.

163


I know that was agreed to.

I know that was the one chosen.

I know that he agreed with them.

I know he agreed with them.

164



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I know that was agreed to.

I know that was the one chosen.

I know that he agreed with them.

I know he agreed with them.

I know that there was no relief.

I know there was no relief.

165


I remember that, when he left, he did

not take those papers with him.

He knew that, because he had

screwed up, he was not going to keep

the position.


I think that, after I call him, I will

retire for the evening.

I think, after I call him, that I will

retire for the evening.

I think that, after I call him, that I

will retire for the evening.

margieholdscourt.com

all rights reserved

I remember that on Friday he did not

take those papers with him.

I remember that, after that meeting

on Friday, he did not take those

papers with him.



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He knew that after June he was not

going to keep the position.

He knew that, after the meeting in

June, he was not going to keep the

position.



…when the game started and when

the pitcher began throwing strikes…

…if you call and if you come over…

…until you pay in cash or until you

give me a check…

171


When there are dependent clauses

being linked by a coordinate

conjunction, there is no comma

because there is not an

INDEPENDENT subject and verb

after the conjunction.

Discussion

172



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the pitcher began throwing…


the pitcher began throwing…

…when the game started and the

pitcher began throwing…

173


…as it was dark and as it was cold…

…as it was dark and it was cold…

…as it was dark and cold…

…if you call and if you come over…

…if you call and you come over…

…if you call and come over…

174


I know that he was tall and that he

was thin and that he had red hair and

that he was wearing a black jacket.

I know that he was tall and he was

thin and he had red hair and he was

wearing a black jacket.

175


I was late because there was traffic

and because it was raining and

because there was an accident.

I was late because there was traffic

and it was raining and there was an

accident.

176



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I want to see you after the meeting

ends and you are free to join us.

She was late because it was raining

and there was an accident.

The bank is foreclosing as we are

behind in our payments and we don’t

have the money to pay up.

177


Beware of that dependent clause

MASQUERADING

as an independent clause.

It is trying to fool you into using a

comma.

Discussion

178



…and a half… vs. …and one half…

…3:00 vs. …3:00 o’clock…

…J, as in “John”; my last name;

the numbers “766”; at yahoo dot

com vs. [email protected]

Discussion

180



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THE STANDARD RULE

For words ending in -s, -x, -z, -ch,

and -sh, add -es to make the

word plural.

Rule

183


fox

mass

church

wish

fez

foxes

masses

churches

wishes

fezes

184



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Remember

Do NOT use an apostrophe for the

plural of a regular word.

witness becomeswitnesses,

NOT witness’ orwitness’s


witness

class

pass

fox

perch

witnesses

classes

passes

foxes

perches

186


For all other words, add only -s.

Rule

187


girl

head

storm

vacation

iPhone

girls

heads

storms

vacations

iPhones

188



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Remember



class becomes classes,

NOT class’s or classes’


Proper Names

Follow these same standard rules

to make proper names plural.,

BUT

do not change the spelling of a

proper name.

Rule

190


Mario

Hindry

Burns

Rogers

Hodges

Marios

Hindrys

Burnses

Rogerses

Hodgeses

191


Remember



Wells becomes Wellses,

NOT Wells’ or Wells’s or Wellses’



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Pronunciation does not affect the

way the plural of a proper name is

spelled.

Discussion

193


Q Did you see Mr. Hughes’ car?

A I did not see Mr. Hughes’s car.

194


When the word the is in front of a

surname, always make the name

plural.

Rule

195


I was with the Wellses.

I was with the Rosses.

I was with the Sanchezes.

I was with the Hodgkines.

196



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The plural of the word money has

two acceptable spellings:

monies financial issues

moneys different kinds

Discussion

197


English is such fun:

Fish in the plural when you are

counting the number.

Fishes in the plural when you

are looking at types.

Discussion

198


If a compound noun has more

than one word, make the main

noun plural.

Rule

199


sister-in-law

attorney

general

court martial

sisters-in-law

attorneys

general

courts martial

200



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For every word that you want to

make SINGULAR possessive, add

an apostrophe s to the singular

form of the word -- no

exceptions.

Rule

202


boy

woman

person

child

teenager

boy’s

woman’s

person’s

child’s

teenager’s

203


class

witness

boss

bass

fox

class’s

witness’s

boss’s

bass’s

fox’s

204



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Mr. Ross

Ms. Sanchez

Mrs. Wells

Mr. Hodges

Ms. Hopkins

Mr. Ross’s

Ms. Sanchez’s

Mrs. Wells’s

Mr. Hodges’s

Ms. Hopkins’s

205


For the plural possessive of words

that end in s, add only the

apostrophe -- (most plurals do

end in s).

Rule

206


girls

friends

sisters

witnesses

classes

girls’

friends’

sisters’

witnesses’

classes’

207


the Rosses

the Wellses

the Burnes

the Hodges

the Hopkins

the Rosses’

the Wellses’

the Burneses’

the Hodgeses’

the Hopkinses’

208



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For the plural possessive of words

that do not end in s,

add apostrophe s.

Rule

209


children

men

oxen

women

children’s

men’s

oxen’s

women’s

210


Add all possessive apostrophes

onto the end of the word.

Rule

211


singular brother-in-law

sing. poss. brother-in-law’s

plural brothers-in-law

pl. poss. brothers-in-law’s

212



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singular aide-de-camp

sing. poss. aide-de-camp’s

plural aides-de-camp

pl. poss. aides-de-camp’s

213


Be sure you have the correct form

of the base word -- that is,

singular or plural -- before you

make it possessive.

Discussion

214


…to the boy…

…to the boy’s friends…

…to the boys…

…to the boys’ friends…

215


…at Ms. Chung…

…at Ms. Chung’s neighbor…

…at the Chungs…

…at the Chungs’ neighbor…

216



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…to the witness…

…to the witness’s testimony…

…to the witnesses…

…to the witnesses’ testimony…

217


…with Mr. Ross…

…with Mr. Ross’s son…

…with the Rosses…

…with the Rosses’ son…

218


…to Ms. Jones…

…to Ms. Jones’s house…

…to the Joneses…

…to the Joneses’ house…

219


These forms are really just

homophones where you are

picking out the correct form.

Discussion

220



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boy

boy’s

boys

boys’

class

class’s

classes

classes’

221


Hess

Mr. Hess’s

the Hesses

the Hesses’

Hodges

Ms. Hodges’s

the Hodgeses

the Hodgeses’

222


Be sure to use the correct

singular or plural form for the

context of the sentence.

Discussion

223


…my manager’s assistants…

…all the managers’ assistants…

…one witness’s statements…

…two witnesses’ statements…

…my son’s birthday…

…my sons’ birthdays…

224



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Don’t use the possessive when

you just want the plural.

Rule

225


…a card from the Oliver’s…

…a card from the Olivers’…

…a card from the Olivers☺…

226


We went with the Rays last night.

(the people, the family)

We were at the Rays’ last night.

(their house, their apartment)

227




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…one week’s pay…

…three days’ duration…

…a stone’s throw…

…six weeks pregnant…

…five years old…

…three inches long…


When an adjective that is right in

front of the noun has an s on it

AND it denotes a time, distance,

amount, or value,

use an apostrophe.

Rule

230


Use apostrophe “s” when the

amount is singular and an

“s” apostrophe when the

amount is plural.

Rule

231


…one year’s time…

…a week’s vacation…

…an hour’s wait…

…three weeks’ duration…

…20 minutes’ delay…

…a few dollars’ worth…

232



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If there is no “s,” the combination

is hyphenated.

Rule

233


…one week’s vacation…

…one-week vacation…

…15 minutes’ delay…

…15-minute delay…

234


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