CONTENTS FEATURE: Apostrophe is a small mark with big consequences SPOTLIGHT: EditPros clients in the news WELCOME: The newest EditPros client NET NOTES: Captivating web sites FEATURE: Proper use of apostrophes is the mark of a careful writer      Merely a pen flick on a handwritten page or a few dots on a computer monitor, the simple little apostrophe has only three functions in English grammar: to denote possession, to serve as a placeholder in contractions, and to indicate omitted characters. Yet it's commonly inserted where it's not needed, and excluded where it's required.      The previous sentence contains three examples of an apostrophe used to create a contraction: it's, a contraction for it is. The apostrophe substitutes for the space between the words and for the letter i of is. Writers often fail to include the apostrophe in that contraction, and mistakenly use an apostrophe in the possessive pronoun its, as in this erroneous usage: "the bird flapped it's wings."      Abide by this unalterable rule: the possessive pronouns his, hers, its, theirs, yours, ours and whose DO NOT take an apostrophe because they are already possessive. And its' (with an apostrophe after the s) is not a legitimate word.      To check a sentence you're writing, try replacing the apparent contraction with its whole-word form. In the previous sentence, you can replace you're with you are. But you cannot replace its with it is or it has.      English grammar rules for the possessive form of nouns and proper names appear simple, but deceptively so. For common singular nouns or proper names that do not end in the letter s, simply add: 's (an apostrophe and an s)—the store's entrance. That rule also holds true for common singular nouns ending in s, except if they are followed by a word beginning with s, when you should simply add an apostrophe—the bus's exhaust, but the bus' seats. For common plural nouns that do not end in s, add 's, but if they do end in s, add only an apostrophe—the children's party, but the boys' bicycles. For proper names that end in s, style guides differ. Newspaper style guides advocate adding only an apostrophe (Socrates' thoughts), while some standard grammar guides state that all names other than those of biblical or classical derivation require the addition of 's (thus, Socrates' thoughts, Moses' footsteps, Orson Welles's films).      When possession involves several individuals, placement of the apostrophe must be precise to distinguish ownership. "Mike and Mary Ann's checking accounts" refers to their jointly held accounts, while "Mike's and Mary Anne's checking accounts" indicates separate ownership of the accounts.      Under certain circumstances, "double possessives"—such as "Jamie is a classmate of Erin's"—are appropriate. That's a "double possessive" because of is one indicator of possession, and Erin's is another. Double possessives require the existence of two conditions: the word following of must be a living being, and the word preceding of must refer to only a portion and not all of the living being's acquaintances, relative or possessions. Erin must have more than one classmate in order for a double possessive to be used. When referring to all of the classmates, a double possessive cannot be used; thus: "All the classmates of Erin attended the party."      In descriptive phrases, an apostrophe is generally NOT used with a noun that is for someone or something, rather than of, or belonging to or occupied by something. Descriptive phrases requiring an apostrophe include "driver's seat" (it's possessed or occupied by a driver). Descriptive phrases not requiring an apostrophe include "writers guide" (a guide for writers). One exception: plural nouns not ending in I do require an apostrophe, as in "children's hospital." For proper names of companies, government agencies or organizations that include a descriptive term (such as Department of Veterans Affairs, Board of Veterans' Appeals, Farmers Insurance Group, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, Pet Food Manufacturers' Association, Polyurethane Manufacturers Association), abide by the practice of the organization.      Use conventional rules for figurative possessives, such as "a week's worth of work" or "two months' pay." For greater clarity, rephrase: "a week-long assignment" or "salary for two months."      Do not use an apostrophe when referring to an acronym, abbreviation or the years of a decade in plural. Thus: "Banks had no ATMs in the 1960s." However, use an apostrophe to indicate omission of numerals, as in the '60s. And do use an apostrophe if necessary for clarity, as in the Oakland A's.      The final word on the apostrophe: its mark on the page may be small, but it's of large consequence to the careful writer. SPOTLIGHT: EditPros clients in the news California Chamber of Commerce helps employers comply with complex new "Log 300" Cal/OSHA injury reporting procedures      Most California employers with more than 10 employees are subject to stringent new Cal/OSHA injury reporting requirements that will take effect this coming January under a new protocol called "Log 300." The Log 300 injury reporting system is significantly more complex than the "Log 200" package of regulations that it replaces.      Log 300 requires employers to fill out multiple forms, perform calculations and learn a new lexicon of terminology. The paperwork under the new system is so complex, it has been likened to completing a federal income tax return every time an employee injury occurs.      Fortunately, the California Chamber of Commerce has produced a package of instructional materials designed to guide employers in complying with the stringent new regulations. The chamber has introduced its "Cal/OSHA Log 300: Injury Recording Made Easy" kit in both computer CD and printed form.      The software version (for Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4 or 2000 operating systems) stores information about work-related injuries and illnesses by location, as required under the new law. "Wizards" guide employers through the entire process of recording work-related incidents, and the software also produces the reports that employers must post each year. The printed version includes all of the required Log 300 forms and instructions describing how to fill them out.      The California Chamber of Commerce, an EditPros client based in Sacramento, represents the interests of employers throughout the state and is the publisher of a large catalog of authoritative handbooks, video productions and software that help companies comply with California laws governing employee rights and benefits. The chamber has begun taking orders for the new kit, which will be shipped beginning in mid-December. Any employer can purchase the printed version for $159 or the electronic version for $189, and California Chamber of Commerce members qualify for a 20 percent discount. To obtain information or to order a copy, call the California Chamber of Commerce at (800) 331-8877; or visit http://www.calchamber.com/ or http://www.calchamberstore.com/calchamber/index.cfm on the Web, where you can download the software. We proudly welcome the newest EditPros client Sill & Associates Sacramento, Calif. (916) 567-1155 Web: http://www.sillandassociates.com Sill & Associates is a debt management organization that helps its business and individual clients resolve financial difficulties. The company helps avoid litigation or bankruptcy proceedings by negotiating settlements on behalf of debtors—individuals or businesses that owe money. Net Notes: Captivating Internet resources Wordcounter.com http://www.wordcounter.com/      Do you tend to overuse certain words? Wordcounter can check. Just paste any material you've written into the text box that appears on this site, and it will quickly rank the words you used most frequently. SpamCon Foundation http://www.spamcon.org      Are you inundated with so-called "spam"—unsolicited e-mail messages offering "Secrets to Earn $100,000 a Year Offshore" or "How to Own A Luxury Car Every Year For Next To Nothing" or "How To Obtain $50,000 In Unsecured Credit"? Are you a marketer who wants to use e-mail responsibly? Are you a computer system administrator who wants to reduce or eliminate spam from your network? Do you want to learn more about legal issues surrounding spam? You'll find the answers at this site, operated by a San Francisco nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the volume of unwanted commercial e-mail. HomeNetHelp.com http://www.HomeNetHelp.com      Linking computers on a network can be a challenge for non-technical home users and small-business owners. This site's library of tutorials and discussion boards offer instructional information designed to teach beginners about sharing Internet connections and other aspects of computer networking. YOUR TURN: Ask the "grammar coach" or subscribe      We invite you to submit your questions to the "grammar coach," and we welcome you to subscribe to this monthly newsletter—which we'll send to your e-mail address at no charge. We respond to all "grammar coach" questions personally, but delays may occur because we must place top priority on assignments from our clients. We appreciate your patience and your interest.      You also can change your e-mail subscription address. For an address change, please indicate your existing AND your new e-mail address. Thank you. 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