grammar help

[kappaloo]

Here, we ask the all-knowing grammar gods (AKGG) of Greekchat for help with our grammar.

Which is correct:

XX's website has a good beginner's tutorial.

XX's website has a good beginners' tutorial.

XX's website has a good beginners tutorial.

I see all three being used.... but which is correct?

[aurora_borealis]

Originally posted by kappaloo
Here, we ask the all-knowing grammar gods (AKGG) of Greekchat for help with our grammar.

Which is correct:

XX's website has a good beginners tutorial.

I see all three being used.... but which is correct?

I think it is the third one. The tutorial is for beginners in the plural sense, but not belonging to them in a posessive sense. The tutorial belongs to the website, not the beginners.

I'm not a grammar god, I'm a history major and an anthropologist. If you want to know about monkey sex or the history of Alaska, I'm your girl.

[WCUgirl]

I agree w/ auroraborealis. "Beginners" describes the type of tutorial owned by the website. Take out the word beginners and it's much more clear:

"XX's website has a good tutorial."

What kind of tutorial is it? It's not a tutorial OF beginners, it's a tutorial FOR beginners.

You could say, "XX's website has a good tutorial for beginners." That would clear up any confusion.

[cutiepatootie]

I would go with AXID suggestion and use the rephrased sentence. It is clear and concise as apose to the other awkward phrased sentences.

[kappaloo]

Thanks everyone.
Me thinks I should take a course in writing. Heh. Do you think my students would notice if I were in English109 with them?

[mmcat]

ditto...since one rarely writes a guide just for one beginner.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by kappaloo
Me thinks I should take a course in writing. Heh. Do you think my students would notice if I were in English109 with them?

You know, you could just get yourself a copy of the Chicago Manual of Style and look things up as needed, or, if you're really bored, read some of the grammar sections.