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Punctuation
197
8.16.
For euphony, nouns ending in s or ce and followed by a word beginning with s form the possessive by adding an apostrophe only.
for goodness' sake for acquaintance' sake Mr. Hughes' service for conscience' sake for old times' sake
8.17.
A possessive noun used in an adjective sense requires the addition of 's.
- He is a friend of John's.
- Stern's is running a sale.
8.18.
A noun preceding a gerund should be in the possessive case.
- in the event of Mary's leaving
- the ship's hovering nearby
Brackets
Brackets, in pairs, are used—
8.19.
In transcripts, congressional hearings, the Congressional Record, testimony in courtwork, etc., to enclose interpolations that are not specifically a part of the original quotation, corrections, explanations, omissions, editorial comments, or a caution that an error is reproduced literally.
- We found this to be true at the Government Printing Office [GPO].
- He came on the 3d [2d] of July.
- Our conference [lasted] 2 hours.
- The general [Washington] ordered him to leave.
- The paper was as follows [reads]:
- I do not know. [Continues reading:]
- [Chorus of "Mr. Chairman."]
- They fooled only themselves. [Laughter.]
- Our party will always serve the people [applause] in spite of the opposition [loud applause]. (If more than one bracketed interpolation, both are included within the sentence.)
- The Witness. He did it that way [indicating].
- Q. Do you know these men [handing witness a list]?
- The bill had not been paid. [Italic added.] or [Emphasis added.]
- The statue [sic] was on the statute books.
- The Witness. This matter is classified. [Deleted.]
- [Deleted.]
- Mr. Jones. Hold up your hands. [Show of hands.]
- Answer [after examining list]. Yes; I do.
- Q. [Continuing.]
- A. [Reads:]
