In article m,
dennis@home wrote:
On 21/12/2016 11:19, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Bob Eager wrote:
Or put another way, the apostrophe in the first sentence is unnecessary
for normal grammar rules. "i's" is neither possessive nor an
abbreviation, so one wouldn't normally use one there. Compare to "How
many bears are there in Alaska?" - you wouldn't write "bear's". However
putting one in helps clarity. Thus adding the apostrophe where not
appropriate helps clarity.

Exactly.

I'd say even most kids would know the plural of bear is bears.

I'd love an example that really does clarify it's a plural. As the
'are' in the sentence does that anyway.


Hmm?
The answer is brown bear, polar bear, grizzle bear, etc.

That is *not* the answer to 'how many bears are there in Alaska' Which
would be a number. That answers 'what types of bear in Alaska'

What would your answer be to 'how many people are there in Alaska?' Those
races resident there?

to "How many bear are there in Alaska?" without the s.

That would make more sense if asking about types.

In other words an apostrophe does absolutely nothing to help clarity -
quite the reverse.

(PS I know some of them aren't in Alaska.)

--
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Dave Plowman London SW
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