Guide to spelling, punctuation and grammar

THE USE OF THE APOSTROPHE  pp. 143–144
1. Smoking in public places is an emotive issue. Opponents of a ban talk
of infringements of civil liberties. Supporters of an outright ban
emphasise the health issues involved and the rights of workers
employed in the catering and bar trade. The majority of the adult
population are now non-smokers. This fact allows the government to
take what formerly would have been a hugely unpopular measure.
2. Firstly, there is no proof to back up this thesis. Supporters of the
theory, however, argue that the onus is on its opponents to disprove
it. On the contrary, the opponents cry, the burden of proof is always
on those making the claims. Although the arguments for and against
are fairly strident, nevertheless it is mainly good-humoured on all
sides.
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H
OW TO WRITE ESSAYS

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3. Fashion models are often accused of being stupid and vain. These
accusations are usually without foundation. Models, in fact, have to
work hard for their money. It is true that many are vastly overpaid for
what they do. Nevertheless, they have become targets for unjustified
criticism and sheer envy.
4. It’s a problem that can cause stress to its owner when a pet behaves
badly. It’s not only an embarrassment, but it’s not fair on the animal.
Its behaviour reflects its state of overall well-being and cannot help
but be a reflection on its owner’s handling of the animal.
5. This is where our neighbours’ garden ends and ours begins. Theirs
stretches back to those trees and ours to those bushes. Our gardener’s
lawn mower broke down the other day, so we had to borrow my
friend’s mower. Look at those plants. They’ve grown a lot in a year.
We can’t claim the credit, we just don’t have green fingers at all.