Sunday, August 23, 2009

Apostrophes

Should I be bugged that a flyer that I got for Lear's school has bad grammar on it? Or am I just being too picky? Is it too much to expect a public school to be able to use apostrophes correctly?

Here's a hint for whoever works at the school that doesn't understand the concept:

An apostrophe indicates a possessive noun or a contraction, not a plural. NOT hard to understand. Therefore, the line should have been "Come meet the teachers," not "Come meet the teacher's." The use of the apostrophe actually equals two grammatical errors, because now the sentence is unfinished. Meet the teacher's what? Pets? Significant other? Toenails? Long lost uncle, twice removed, who had a recent lobotomy?

I know it's probably some office worker who made the flyer, not a teacher, but one would think that someone who cares about how the school represents itself would proofread what they send out. Or maybe the proofreader doesn't understand basic punctuation either.

I'm not saying this to show off my superior knowledge or perfection. I mess up all the time, but I really make an effort to use correct English. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the people who are in charge of educating my children to be able to use and understand these simple concepts.

(Before someone questions my use of an apostrophe in the words "it's" or "don't," I would like to point out that they are contractions. "It's" is a contraction of the words "it" and "is," for example. Possessives and contractions, people-and don't quibble with me about exceptions.)

Lear quote: When Daddy said the word "transformer," I thought he was talking about the toys. It made me think, "What the?!"

I can't think of an Ella quote, but here's another Lear quote:
Mom: What's up, Lear?
Lear: Good.


3 comments:

Barton said...

Actually, I don't think it's unreasonable of you to expect the school to get it right. It's the same as expecting any professional to perform their chosen job correctly - perfectly reasonable.

You would expect a garbage man to collect garbage wouldn't you? Or a well digger to dig wells, right? Or a politician to do what his electorate wants him to... oh wait, perhaps it is asking too much.

Gia said...

I TOTALLY relate...I wish my boss would just walk downstairs and let me proofread her advertisments. It's full of stuff like "Nuttall's- where your family, not just customers" at least there isn't an apostrophe in customer.

Launa said...

AGREED! I hate seeing notes that say things like - Hear we are having fun to. And it's over their. It drives me crasy. I make lots of mistakes, but I think they are deeper than grade school spelling and grammar. And most especially notes home to the parents from the school administrative office should be correct. Maybe one day you should correct it and send it back with a grade on it......