In this article, we will address a common grammar question that arises from interpreting news headlines, particularly focusing on the headline: ‘Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi’s Visit & Speeches at Yokosuka Naval Base’. The question centers on the use of the apostrophe ‘s’ in the name ‘Takaichi’s’, and whether the headline’s verb tense and structure align with grammatical rules for news writing.
1. What does ‘Takaichi’s’ mean in this context?
The possessive form ‘Takaichi’s’ in the headline refers to something belonging to Sanae Takaichi. Specifically, it indicates that her visit and speeches are part of the event described. The possessive form is common when referring to people in news headlines, especially when multiple individuals are involved in an event or action, like the visit to the Yokosuka Naval Base in this case.
In English, the possessive ‘s’ is used to show ownership or association. Thus, ‘Takaichi’s Visit & Speeches’ refers to Sanae Takaichi’s personal involvement in the visit and speeches at the naval base.
2. Tense in News Headlines
Regarding the question about whether the verb should be ‘visited’ or ‘is visiting’, it’s important to understand how news headlines typically use tenses. While news headlines often omit auxiliary verbs (like ‘is’ or ‘has’), the implied present tense is used in many cases. Headlines often use simple present tense to convey an action that is still relevant or unfolding, even if the event itself occurred in the past. This is a stylistic choice meant to keep the headline concise and impactful.
In this example, the phrase ‘Takaichi’s Visit & Speeches’ is understood to imply an action that happened recently or is still relevant, even though the verb ‘is visiting’ is not explicitly used.
3. Why ‘are’ and not ‘is’?
The question also suggests confusion about whether ‘is’ or ‘are’ should be used in the headline. Since the headline mentions two people—Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi—the plural verb ‘are’ should be used. However, the absence of a full sentence structure means this question doesn’t apply directly here, as the headline uses a noun phrase to describe the event, not a complete sentence.
4. Why Headlines Use Present Tense
Many readers might wonder why news headlines use present tense even when describing events that happened in the past. The reason is simple: headlines aim to grab attention quickly and present information that remains relevant. The present tense can make past actions feel immediate and still impactful, helping to create a sense of ongoing relevance for the reader.
For example, ‘Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi’s Visit & Speeches at Yokosuka Naval Base’ keeps the action fresh and relevant, even though it refers to past events.
5. Summary and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, while the headline ‘Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi’s Visit & Speeches at Yokosuka Naval Base’ might initially seem confusing, it’s a grammatically sound example of how headlines are structured. The use of possessive ‘Takaichi’s’ correctly conveys ownership, and the present tense in the headline serves to make the action feel relevant. Headlines often omit auxiliary verbs and can use present tense to maintain immediacy, even for past events.
コメント