Beginner's or Beginners'

1. 78

   electronicianposted 10 years ago

   If I am writing a guide for beginners should it be 'A Beginner's Guide' or 'A Beginners' Guide' or are both correct?
   
   I have seen both used in various places although the use of beginner's seems to be more popular.
   
   Both seem to make sense to me - it can be a guide for many beginners, in which case it is the beginners' guide, or it can be a guide for a beginner (an imaginary example beginner), in which it is a beginner's guide.
   
   I've always though A Beginners' guide seems like better syntax just because it doesn't rely on implying an imaginary example, but that way is less commonly used. Does anybody know if either one is objectively correct, or have any thoughts on which one is best to use?

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   1. 0

      Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I like Beginner's Guide

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   2. 32

      Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      There can be a significant difference between the number of searches and the number of competitors for something titled Beginner's Guide, Beginners' Guide or Beginners Guide.
      
      Use the Google keyword Planner and search results pages to help you make the decision. Search on Google for Electronics Beginner's Guide, Electronics Beginners' Guide and Electronics Beginners Guide to see the difference in competition and in results displayed.

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         electronicianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         That's a great idea - screw grammar and chase the cash instead!!!! I like your style Writer Fox.

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            Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Cash is the new grammar.  That's how the term 'Web site' got changed to 'website.'  It happened because Google willed it to happen and now that's the correct spelling in the dictionary.

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               FlourishAnywayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Writer Fox, you are clever and cunning as a fox.  You sure picked the right name.

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   3. 81

      AlexK2009posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      "A Beginner's guide"  ONE beginner
      "Beginners' Guide"     Multiple beginners
      "Beginners Guide"   Acceptable common usage

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2. 87

   rebekahELLEposted 10 years ago

   Beginner's is correct.

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3. 90

   Will Apseposted 10 years ago

   A Beginner's Guide
   
   Beginners' Guides
   
   edit: if anyone who genuinely knows weird grammar rules comes along I will back out.
   
   I was a sixty's child, wild and free, expression was everything and apostrophes were designed by Victorians to break tender spirits.

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      Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That makes my ears hurt.

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      1. 90

         Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         s' is for plurals and Golems. And also Tom Waits.
         
         Unless someone who looks like a school marm comes along and shouts at me.

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            Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I hope she has a nice business suit on.

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               Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               I am sort of guessing Mellisa. Dare I ask?

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                  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  You are guessing Melissa what?

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                  1. 90

                     Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                     I am guessing Melissa will be along to put me in my place, soon.
                     
                     Perhaps Rebekah will break my foolishness to me more gently.
                     
                     Also why do so many women have names that no one can spell?

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                        Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

                        I had my mother name me something simple for your benefit.

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                        1. 90

                           Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                           Your mother showed fine judgement.

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                        cheaptrickposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                        Out of mystery they came
                        With a hard to spell name
                        To commence this here game
                        Called life
                        They get all in your head
                        Then they take you to bed
                        Till those two words are said
                        Your wife
                        Run your life from the start
                        Till you're just an old fart
                        And till death do us part.....becomes a goal

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                        1. 78

                           electronicianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                           Lol! great poem cheaptrick

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   2. 78

      electronicianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Will, but couldn't it be a singular guide for multiple beginners - with the 'A' implying the singular guide rather than a singular beginner?

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      1. 90

         Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         lol. I honestly don't know.
         
         I do know that it is difficult to find anyone using the apostrophe after the s. That doesn't mean it is correct or incorrect but it does suggest no one will take umbrage if you go for 's.

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4. 90

   Rochelle Frankposted 10 years ago

   OK , I'll be the schoolmarm and say, " A Beginner's Guide".. especially since you put "A" in front which signifies singular.
   You may be addressing this to many beginners, but sort of individually , one at a time. It sounds better, too.

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   1. 90

      Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes but the real issue is
      
      Beginners' Guides
      
      or
      
      Beginner's Guides
      
      ?

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      1. 81

         classicalgeekposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         It depends on whether you are writing multiple guides for a single beginner, or multiple beginners.
         
         You could, of course, avoid the headache entirely by choosing to name it "A Guide for Beginners."

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            Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I was thinking of multiple guides for multiple beginners.

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            Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            lol

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         3. 78

            electronicianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            @classicgeek - that's a great idea, it would sidestep the whole ambiguity altogether!

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      2. 81

         Marcy Goodfleischposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         My non-marmish opinion is that you've got it right.  We need cclitgirl to drop by and address this issue.  She's an expert, and very non-marmish.

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            Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Do you have a tight business suit, Marcy?

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               Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

               lol

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5. 72

   livingit4realposted 10 years ago

   I believe your choice and use of the article "A" determines which is correct. "A", of course is singular and implies that you are talking about a singular item: a ball, the balls, ball or balls. "A" makes it a singular beginner.  You could choose: Beginners' Guide or Beginner's Guide, but the "A" implies single beginner. Hope that helped.

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   1. 78

      electronicianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      But the 'A' could refer to the beginner or the guide in the sentence 'A beginner's / beginners' guide'. Which one does or should it refer to?

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      1. 77

         fileclusterposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         You can keep your title SEO friendly and make it more attractive at the same time using something like : Beginner's guide to InsertTopicHere: Electronics 101 or something else that draws attention.

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            electronicianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks for the tip, that's a good idea.

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         mgt28posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I would only use A Beginners' Guide if it is product directed to married couples. Just saying.

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            electronicianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I sort of get the couples thing, but why is whether it is 'product directed' relevant?

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               mgt28posted 10 years agoin reply to this

               I agree ' product directed' has no place!

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      3. 72

         livingit4realposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         The "A" denotes the word "beginner" is singular. If there is more than one guide it could be "A beginner's guides", which I do not think is the intent.

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         1. 61

            mgt28posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            The "A" refers to the singular the  Guide singular.

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