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We are aware of the way the English language is evolving during use, and do not intend any direct criticism of those who have made mistakes, but are just reminding all writers of English text, whether on notices or in documents of any type, of the correct usage of the apostrophe should you wish to put right mistakes you may have inadvertently made.
The contents of this website are © Copyright the Apostrophe Protection Society &
John Hale (Website Design).
Content may only be used by prior permission.
Site updated: 11 April 2021
Task: Insert Tribute Page
Site started: June 2001
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With regret I have to announce that, after some 18 years, I have decided to close the Apostrophe Protection Society.
There are two reasons for this. One is that at 96 I am cutting back on my commitments and the second is that fewer organisations and individuals are now caring about the correct use of the apostrophe in the English Language.
We, and our many supporters worldwide, have done our best but the ignorance and laziness present in modern times have won!
This web site, masterminded by John Hale, will however remain open for some time for reference and interest. November 2019
The Apostrophe Protection Society was started in 2001 by John Richards with the specific aim of “preserving the correct use of this currently much abused punctuation mark” in all forms of text written in the English Language. However John has recently decided, for the reasons he gives below, to close the APS.
His announcement in November 2019 brought an enormous amount of interest both from the media and other folk worldwide, most of whom were shocked by his decision. Indeed this resulted in a massive 600-fold increase in demand on this website which caused the bandwidth of our Server to be exceeded, with us temporarily having to withdraw the site. We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment caused.
www.apostrophe.org.uk is now up and running again for reference and examples but unfortunately, with John Richards no longer at the helm, it is unlikely to be developed very much further. Please be aware that, should demand on our Server again become excessive, temporary withdrawal may once again take place.
John Hale, APS Webmaster
John Richards wrote:
It is with much sadness that we announce that John Richards,
Founder and Chairman of the APS, has recently passed away
Founder and Chairman of the APS, has recently passed away
John Richards (1923-2021)
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