What's with the apostrophe?
 

I needed a forum in which to vent my frustration at this new phenomenon wherein most people seem to be using an apostrophe where it doesn't belong. A large percentage of people writing these posts are using apostrophes where a plural word is written such as: The ball hit's the bat. Honestly, I just saw that. I've seen this in television commercials as well as ads in newspapers. Is this something we are inheriting from the younger generation who has lost the ability to use proper English and grammar? Since texting and "shorthand" seem to be the "conversations" of the day, we are losing proper spelling. Shakespeare would cry ! :sing:

It's not its self lately.

Boy Howdy; :

An English major?

It could also be the auto correct on ipad/iPhone/tablet/other devices that doesn't always make the right decision.

Sometimes it's the spell checking.

I always blame autocorrect. You are correct that we are forgetting how to spell with all of these new gadgets.

Youse sew wright.

Unless I return and meticulously check what I write, especially on my iPhone, the autocorrect makes some strange changes. Some are truly laughable.

And they can get you in trouble. I once wrote a text to my granddaughter and called her a slut. I can't remember what I had intended to write but it was not well received. LOL

Yes, things like that happen. I seem to have the most trouble with my iPhone. I find it time consuming and annoying to have to keep going back in the text and fixing things.

Hoo boy! :a20::a20:

Apostrophes
 

As a former journalist and editor, it bums me too. Sadly, all languages change over time. Remember trying to read The Canterbury Tales in the original form?

"Wepyng and waylyng, care and oother sorwe
I knowe ynogh, on even and a-morwe,'
Quod the Marchant, 'and so doon oother mo
That wedded been..."

Using 's is a common mistake. I would blame it on modern education not emphasizing proper grammar like they used to, but I have friends as old or older than I who write things like "the Smith's" and pluralize with apostrophes, such as "the elephant's." It's nothing to get excited about, IMO. I'd rather concentrate on what the posters have to say.

I was an English major and an editor, and I've done things myself. Since it's no longer my job, I've learned to enjoy the post rather than critique the grammar. Unless you go back and proofread, mistakes will make it through. The other day I posted "laundry shoot" instead of "laundry chute." The lovely Gracie caught it and PM'd me.

And my keyboard refuses to capitalize.

DON'T talk about it. We all do it. We are communicating and we get the ...is it gist or jist of what the other is tryin' to say.???

I am very much against stirring up trouble for no good reason. However, I do that too.

We are all just people, doin' the best we can. And making mistakes. People can over time figure out what we are about.

It isn't always what we say or how we say it, it is what we mean.

There is a sign for a restaurant that I drive by regularly that promotes special dinner prices on "Monday's". Monday's what? This drives me nuts.

The bottom line is that for some time our vaunted public schools have been turning out platoons of functionally illiterate people. Since proper language and writing isn't "trendy" it gets left by the wayside. There is no greater threat to any kind of freedom than a populace who cannot communicate properly and do not honor their language.

Yup, most of the people posting on here making those mistakes are in their 60s and 70s so let's blame it on the lousy modern education not emphasizing grammar.

People who don't know anything about what goes on in our public schools should probably bite their lip (or keyboard) at times.

'60s and '70s or 60's and 70's or 60s and 70s......I'm so confused.

Ha ha! I'm assuming you're kidding. If not, let me know. (Or let Prutzie know!)

It ain't that big a deal.

OK. I've figured it out; sixties and seventies. Or, oh no, maybe sixty's and seventy's. Maybe a comma thread would get my mind off of this.

:loco:I'm retired.. I don't care... I also use r for are and u for you.. so their !!! I told my fingers it's ok.. my brain agreed.. and yes.. I know I used the wrong their. don't get in a snit

You'r so wright.

It doesn't bother me ! I'm sitting here on the computer watching one of my tv's. :a20:

[QUOTE=Prutzie;915074]I needed a forum in which to vent my frustration at this new phenomenon wherein most people seem to be using an apostrophe where it doesn't belong. A large percentage of people writing these posts are using apostrophes where a plural word is written such as: The ball hit's the bat. Honestly, I just saw that. I've seen this in television commercials as well as ads in newspapers. Is this something we are inheriting from the younger generation who has lost the ability to use proper English and grammar?QUOTE]


Spelling and grammar can be very poor on TOTV, and sometimes this can make for amusing reading, but we all make mistakes.

After all, "hits" is not a plural word in "the ball hits the bat", and "the younger generation who has..." should be "the younger generation which has...", although "...who have..." is common.

Back in the day I wasn't sure of the correct spelling of the plural of "you". Somehow "youse" just didn't look right.

You're in the south now. Plural of you is y'all.

I prefer youse all, with all the New Yorkers here I think it might catch on.

It could be worse.

Y u all b worry bout tis 2day. U jest wait tills 2moro it bes worser.

See attachment!

That is exactly what I was tryin' to art tick you late.

I'm surprised you're still around to tell us about it! :)

Is it y'all or ya'll?

It's ....all y'all in Texas!

Y'all

Possessive is y'all's.

As in "Will you move y'all's cars so Betsy can go home and take the dog out?"

Weird Al Yankovic has just released a brilliant new song about grammar which everyone should enjoy. See the video "Word Crimes" and a commentary

“Weird Al” Yankovic “Word Crimes” video: Evaluating the “Blurred Lines”/Robin Thicke parody’s rules of usage.

This linked website fits right in with this post.
He's pretty funny. (I double checked my apostrophe)

Common Errors in English Usage

The comedian Gallagher used to do some funny skits about grammar, the English language and phonics. It was so funny !

Typos, Apostrophe Abuse, and Other Assorted Offenses is a wonderful Facebook page that you can follow or like. You might want to check it out. It's very funny. https://www.facebook.com/typoz?hc_location=timeline :wave: