POLL: Okay, grammar question

Which is correct, or would either phrase be fine?

A) "the United States' law enforcement community"

B) "the United States law enforcement community"

Notice the apostrophe on the end of "States." That's what I'm not sure about. It is the law enforcement community OF the United States, so that's why I feel an apostrophe is appropriate, but it also seems correct to just leave the apostrophe out completely.

Your thoughts?

 

[TechnoKid]

I voted b. To me, "united states law enforcement community" is one entity that is spread over several words.

 

[Tab]

Speaking of grammar, I need to improve that on my ACT scores the most. Anyone have any really good books on grammer in general? I mean intro to english too all the way up.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Tabb
Speaking of grammar, I need to improve that on my ACT scores the most. Anyone have any really good books on grammer in general? I mean intro to english too all the way up.

Warriner's English, Grammar and Composition, complete course

 

[ActuaryTm]

Would be a bit better to say, "The law enforcement community of the United States".

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm
Would be a bit better to say, "The law enforcement community of the United States".

But, is that the same as saying "The United States law enforcement community." If you agree it is the same, then yes, I suppose.

 

[Ikonomi]

I believe you can use "United States" as a modifier there, so it doesn't have to be possessive.

Think of some other examples:

The Houston law enforcement community...

The Michigan law enforcement community...

But on the other hand, you can say Houston's law enforcement community. I guess it can go either way, but I prefer your choice B.

 

[zephyrprime]

I believe you can use "United States" as a modifier there, so it doesn't have to be possessive.

Think of some other examples:

The Houston law enforcement community...

The Michigan law enforcement community.

Yeah, I think you've got it. "United States" is an adjective in this case.

 

[welst10]

A is correct

 

[FrogDog]

I think it depends on how you're using it. Although each way would probably convey the same meaning. The two ways would be using "United States law enforcement community" as a title or just as a normal part of a sentence where you're referring to the US' law enforcement community.

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: Ikonomi
I believe you can use "United States" as a modifier there, so it doesn't have to be possessive.

Think of some other examples:

The Houston law enforcement community...

The Michigan law enforcement community...

But on the other hand, you can say Houston's law enforcement community. I guess it can go either way, but I prefer your choice B.

Actaully, "The Houston law enforcement community" is ok only when such a term is a reserved name of some object. For example, The Unites States Army = ok. The Houston law enforcement community is not ok, strictly speaking.

 

[FrogDog]

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: Ikonomi
I believe you can use "United States" as a modifier there, so it doesn't have to be possessive.

Think of some other examples:

The Houston law enforcement community...

The Michigan law enforcement community...

But on the other hand, you can say Houston's law enforcement community. I guess it can go either way, but I prefer your choice B.

Actaully, "The Houston law enforcement community" is ok only when such a term is a reserved name of some object. For example, The Unites States Army = ok. The Houston law enforcement community is not ok, strictly speaking.

Yeah I think you're right.

 

[TechnoKid]

Is "United States" a plural word, or a singular word that happens to end in s?

 

[Ikonomi]

Originally posted by: FrogDog

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: Ikonomi
I believe you can use "United States" as a modifier there, so it doesn't have to be possessive.

Think of some other examples:

The Houston law enforcement community...

The Michigan law enforcement community...

But on the other hand, you can say Houston's law enforcement community. I guess it can go either way, but I prefer your choice B.

Actaully, "The Houston law enforcement community" is ok only when such a term is a reserved name of some object. For example, The Unites States Army = ok. The Houston law enforcement community is not ok, strictly speaking.

Yeah I think you're right.

How do you guys figure it's incorrect? I'm not sure that I'm right, but I'd like to know what rule makes that usage wrong, for future reference.

Is "United States" a plural word, or a singular word that happens to end in s?

It's plural.

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
Is "United States" a plural word, or a singular word that happens to end in s?

singular since it's the name of a single country

 

[Iron Woode]

The correct answer is A.

United States' with the apostrophe shows possession. The law enforcement community is a possession of the United States.

 

[FrogDog]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode
The correct answer is A.

United States' with the apostrophe shows possession. The law enforcement community is a possession of the United States.

Unless the "United States Law Enforcement Community" was the name of some group.