I REALLY Tried :-)

[oursilverstrands]

Jan, I really searched the Forum to avoid having to ask this question; the answer lies buried in my memory and refuses to be resurrected. The only post that came close was a discussion about proper nouns ending in "s" and how to make them plural. My question is not that, but this:

When I want to make Bryant plural on my computer, I add an "s". The computer wants me to write it as Bryant's. Why, when I'm referring to more than one Bryant?


Lillian

[glorybee]

Jan, I really searched the Forum to avoid having to ask this question; the answer lies buried in my memory and refuses to be resurrected. The only post that came close was a discussion about proper nouns ending in "s" and how to make them plural. My question is not that, but this:

When I want to make Bryant plural on my computer, I add an "s". The computer wants me to write it as Bryant's. Why, when I'm referring to more than one Bryant?


Lillian

First, you really don't need to spend time searching for a thread that might hold the answer to your questions. It's just not worth the bother--especially since I don't mind answering them in the least.

The simple answer to your question is that computers aren't intelligent. It's probably more common to have a possessive Bryant than a plural Bryant, so the spellcheck or grammar check software is programmed to suggest that. It just underscores the importance of not taking one's computer's suggestions as absolutely correct.

[oursilverstrands]

Jan. It didn't make sense, and now I know why.

Lillian