Plurals and apostrophes
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 11:53 am
I have to address this.
I can't stand it anymore.
If I had a nickel for every time I saw a plural written with an apostrophe, I'd be sitting on a beach somewhere right now. And I'm seeing it on FB and forum posts belonging to writers . . . homeschooling moms . . .
It is four dogs. Not four dog's.
Six tables. Not six table's.
Nine banana splits. Girls. Socks. Gardens.
And while we're at it, if you have a sign by your driveway or on your mailbox, and it says "The Hamilton's," go chisel it off or paint over it. You are The Hamiltons. A collection of people with the surname Hamilton. Otherwise, it's The Hamilton's . . . what? Something that belongs to ONE Hamilton, but what is it?
I suppose by implication it is the Hamilton's home . . . or the Hamilton's mailbox. But even so, assuming more than one Hamilton lives there, it would be The Hamiltons'.
If your surname is Thomas, your mailbox will read The Thomases. You will sign Christmas cards From the Thomases. Or the Thomas Tribe, if you're not sure about leaving out that incorrigible apostrophe. PLEASE do not sign, From The Thomas's . . . or The Thomas'.
Please.
Thank you.
I can't stand it anymore.
If I had a nickel for every time I saw a plural written with an apostrophe, I'd be sitting on a beach somewhere right now. And I'm seeing it on FB and forum posts belonging to writers . . . homeschooling moms . . .
It is four dogs. Not four dog's.
Six tables. Not six table's.
Nine banana splits. Girls. Socks. Gardens.
And while we're at it, if you have a sign by your driveway or on your mailbox, and it says "The Hamilton's," go chisel it off or paint over it. You are The Hamiltons. A collection of people with the surname Hamilton. Otherwise, it's The Hamilton's . . . what? Something that belongs to ONE Hamilton, but what is it?
I suppose by implication it is the Hamilton's home . . . or the Hamilton's mailbox. But even so, assuming more than one Hamilton lives there, it would be The Hamiltons'.
If your surname is Thomas, your mailbox will read The Thomases. You will sign Christmas cards From the Thomases. Or the Thomas Tribe, if you're not sure about leaving out that incorrigible apostrophe. PLEASE do not sign, From The Thomas's . . . or The Thomas'.
Please.
Thank you.