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Mothers, Mothers' or Mother's...

22 replies

scarecrow22 · Yesterday 09:06

...Day?

Worrying about the apostrophe is slightly missing the point, I know. Though since I've lost my Kindle and we can't afford to go to IKEA, it's the most fun I can think of.

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TheOrigRights · Yesterday 09:08

Mother's

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RenegadeKeeblerElf · Yesterday 09:10

I'd go with Mothers' - it is a day for all Mothers. However the dilemma doesn't exist if you use the traditional British name for the day which is Mothering Sunday 😉

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kitsuneghost · Yesterday 09:11

Where are you from OP?
Mother's = possesive
Mothers = plural
S' is only used when singular already end in s

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Zonder · Yesterday 09:14

kitsuneghost · Yesterday 09:11

Where are you from OP?
Mother's = possesive
Mothers = plural
S' is only used when singular already end in s

Or when it's a plural possessive. Mothers' Day means the day of many mothers.

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scarecrow22 · Yesterday 09:15

Thanks @Zonder - I was sitting here doubting my existence

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kitsuneghost · Yesterday 09:15

Or to be correct it's a actually Mothering Sunday.

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Springup · Yesterday 09:18

@kitsuneghost you beat me to it. My mum appreciates a card with this on

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scarecrow22 · Yesterday 09:19

kitsuneghost · Yesterday 09:15

Or to be correct it's a actually Mothering Sunday.

Now we are talking! (And touché?!)
I will only ever use that his in future as the apostrophe-agonising has been troubling me for years decades.

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CaptainMyCaptain · Yesterday 09:25

Mothers' - lots of mothers.

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OneWildNightWithJBJ · Yesterday 09:26

I think it’s Mothers’ Day as it’s for mothers all over, but nowadays most people seem to think it’s Mother’s.

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monsterradeliciosa · Yesterday 09:28

It’s a day to celebrate mothers. So it’s a day belonging to all mothers therefore mothers’ day

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MaggieFS · Yesterday 09:30

Springup · Yesterday 09:18

@kitsuneghost you beat me to it. My mum appreciates a card with this on

Yep, every year I'm scouring the shelves for the token Mothering Sunday card shoved down in a corner somewhere

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teacakesforbreakfast · Yesterday 09:30

Right there with you! I always go with Mothers' (as in a day that belongs to all mothers). I might be more likely to go with Mother's (as in a day for my mother) if I called her "mother", but I call her "mum" so doesn't really resonate.

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TwoCoffeesandAMilkshake · Yesterday 09:32

kitsuneghost · Yesterday 09:11

Where are you from OP?
Mother's = possesive
Mothers = plural
S' is only used when singular already end in s

Not quite. The s' is used for a plural possessive.

You need to decide whether you are referring to one mother or all (many) mothers.

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JanglyBeads · Yesterday 09:33

I like to keep it plural - Mothers' - but think it's being individualised (Mother's) as with so many things these days, yes!

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Margo34 · Yesterday 09:34

If you're writing a card to your mother, then you are celebrating her day so it'll be Mother's Day.

If you are writing about the day for all mothers, then it'll be Mothers' Day.

Or even better - Mothering Sunday.

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PictureConsequences · Yesterday 09:45

Think it's clear now but Mother's Day is just one mother.

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Thunderpunt · Yesterday 10:29

kitsuneghost · Yesterday 09:15

Or to be correct it's a actually Mothering Sunday.

This!

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DannyZukosSmile · Yesterday 10:31

MOTHER'S day.

Google 'mothers day' or 'mothers' day' and Mother's day will come up everywhere. The apostrophe is before the 's.'

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CaptainMyCaptain · Yesterday 10:37

DannyZukosSmile · Yesterday 10:31

MOTHER'S day.

Google 'mothers day' or 'mothers' day' and Mother's day will come up everywhere. The apostrophe is before the 's.'

Well that would be wrong. Mother's refers to a singular mother. One mother,

Mothers' is many mothers.

Just because you can find it on Google doesn't make it right.

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JanglyBeads · Yesterday 12:38

Although in this case, Google is correct, see here

www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2013/05/mothers-day.html

The inventor of the modern celebratory day was very clear that it was about each family celebrating its mother.

Mother's Day - I stand corrected.

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Mumsnut · Yesterday 12:59

I don't like Mothering Sunday. It suggests i should do some mothering, and i want the day off!

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