Wont!

[Bigmallly]

If there is a range of people doing the work; then it would be someones'

If there is only one person doing the work; then it would be someone'

Nobody was actually doing any work, Haley was proofreading someones work (apostrophe left out).

[Jeanied]

* Hmm - let me see if I can make this even more confusing, says Jeanied getting out her wooden spoon! (Indulge her , fellow grapes, she has had a hard day!)

Surely if it is someone - it is only ever a noun for one person - so it has to take the apostrophe before the s in the possessive. If it is plural it will be some people. It is still singular because people is a plural noun so it would be some people's.
Nah, that doesn't look right - it was the Peoples' choice, wasn't it?
If anyone finds out what I'm talking about, do me a favour... let me know!

[zazen999]

I was always lead to believe that if an apostrophe was in the middle of 2 letters then it indicated a missing letter(s). If it was after a word then it meant belonging to............if that makes sense.

Nope not always - what about it's?

[Brengirl]

Surely the written word is about comunication "D'you get my drift" sums it up as far as I am concerned.

[Alice]

I do a bit of part time work transcribing from audio tapes for Consultant Physicians and I am always uncomfortable when they dictate "wont". I never type it, I convert it to "will not" and not one of them have ever insisted upon it being changed back. What do you think all you grammar gurus?

Don't think I've made myself clear here. Wont is a past participle of a now obsolete verb meaning "accustomed", or a noun meaning "custom" or "habit" (as is his wont). I don't think it should be used as an abbreviation of will not?

I'm quite bamboozled here Florence Fennel.
In one post you say you change wont to will not
in the next post you say the word is being used in the sense of habit or custom - as a noun or a verb. If the word is being used in that sense then there is no apostrophe in it, and what sense is there in the sentence if it is changed to will not .
I think maybe Consultants should look at the letters being sent out in their name to see what is going on.

[zazen999]

* Hmm - let me see if I can make this even more confusing, says Jeanied getting out her wooden spoon! (Indulge her , fellow grapes, she has had a hard day!)

Surely if it is someone - it is only ever a noun for one person - so it has to take the apostrophe before the s in the possessive. If it is plural it will be some people. It is still singular because people is a plural noun so it would be some people's.
Nah, that doesn't look right - it was the Peoples' choice, wasn't it?
If anyone finds out what I'm talking about, do me a favour... let me know!

People's would be if the thing could only belong to one person [at any time]
Peoples' would be if the thing could belong to more than one person at a time, which as it was a magazine - it could.

[RedThorn]

I would have thought "wont" was an archaic word which is out of use these days.

I take umbridge to being called archaic!

[Bigmallly]

Nope not always - what about it's?

It (i)s..................

[HotStuff]

I was always lead to believe that if an apostrophe was in the middle of 2 letters then it indicated a missing letter(s). If it was after a word then it meant belonging to............if that makes sense.

M'lud and most honourable esteemed colleagues, may I refer you to:

How to use Apostrophes - guidance notes

[zazen999]

it's - used for it is
its - used for belonging to

eg.....
It's on its way.

[HotStuff]

It (i)s..................

How about "I couldn't start the car it's battery was flat".

[Bigmallly]

it's - used for it is
its - used for belonging to

eg.....
It's on its way.

Thats right, there is no apostrophe in the 2nd its..........the apostrophe denotes the missing i.

[zazen999]

how about "i couldn't start the car it's battery was flat".

aarrgghhhhhhhhhhh

[Bigmallly]

How about "I couldn't start the car it's battery was flat".

Its would not have an apostrophe.

[zazen999]

Thats right, there is no apostrophe in the 2nd its..........the apostrophe denotes the missing i.

I know it's right - I have a degree in English