Grammar Check

KotokoPlum · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:15 pm Post subject:

Well, I'm learning about making nouns plural (I know, I know, it sounds mediocre, but we just finished mechanics and boy, was that test hard!><)

My CA teacher says that for words with suffixes (like cupful) you would put the "s" after the more important word as in another rule (cupsful).

The other rule is that in a word such as mother-in-law we would put the "s" behind the most important word (mothers-in-law).

It seems logical, but I'm just not sure about this one. It says otherwise in the textbook, but she sadi that we would not be going with the textbook on this matter... Any input?

LadyoftheDeadlyDance · Forum Stalker Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1144

Mmm...The rule with 'mothers-in-law' does sound correct...but 'cupsful'? Doesn't seem like proper English to me. Then again, I'm no English teacher so who am I kidding? *shrugs*

Best advice I could give is do what she says, but once you get out of her class at the end of the year or whatever, ask your new teacher about the rule. Or you could always rebel, either way.

silver_dreams · Elder Than Dirt Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 5102

'cupsful' is actually correct, as is 'cupfuls'.

'mothers-in-law' is also correct.

trust me, i'm the Grammar/Spelling Police Cool