To get so annoyed reading plural words where the writer has used an apostrophe?

[missmouse101]

I can't take much more of this; it ruins whatever I am reading. It has become so common and I have no idea why? Do people not want to get it right? It is puppies, families, hobbies, butchers, bakers, potatoes if you are writing about more than one. If you are writing about one (for example the puppy's paw, then the apostrophe is indeed correct.) I am probably BU in letting it affect me so much but I just had to vent!

The building where the doctors are based is the doctor's. It doesn't matter how many doctors are based there - it's not doctors'. Likewise with baker's, and butcher's - it's irrelevant the number of bakers or butchers working there.

My iPhone puts loads in. Particularly in the days of the week. Mostly I go back and take them out but sometimes I just cba.

At the butchers' annual dinner were few vegans.
At the health centre the doctors' entrance was locked.

I am a grammar pedant and I don't care. It's all about meaning and communication. When someone uses an apostrophe incorrectly I have to read it twice and mentally 'translate' what they actually meant to say. It's bloody annoying.
I would rather ban apostrophes altogether. My DP refuses to get the hang of them because he wasn't taught properly at school, and now thinks it doesn't matter.

My six year old was set homework involving apostrophes of possession. Unfortunately, on the handout, it was ‘apostrophe’s of possession’. I have a lot of time for his teacher — as I have for anyone who willingly spends eight hours a day with a hyena pack of six and seven year olds and the prospect of Year 2 SATS, especially a NQT — but there have been typos on almost every spelling handout since Christmas. I wish she would proof-read.

At the tip the sign says no bag's and a local shop sells sandwhiches…

Do you think everyone on this forum received the same level of education? The same quality of teaching?

Have to larf at the idea that the teaching of the correct use of the apostrophe is "quality" teaching.:o I was taught this at primary school as basic stuff. I reinforce it in my own teaching. It's very very basic.

However......DVD's, Year 8's does my swede in. The use of initialisms as a form of abbreviation is endemic, and frequently misused.

I was taught this at primary school as basic stuff

Unlike the correct spelling of laugh apparently.

It's a basic use of language and generally straightforward to learn. It's not indicative of advanced education, superior knowledge or pedantry to use language properly. This wasn't just about Mumsnet but the wider world. Punctuation greatly helps understanding and meaning.

Slightly sideways - one of the schools I work in had some spare copies of the programme for the school show lying about. Above the cast list, in huge letters, was the word "Principles".
I had a moan.

I call it 'plural apostrophe-itis' with my students - it makes them laugh, but it does make a serious point. It isn't quite as endemic as it used to be among my (teenage) English students, though - things are definitely improving, if slowly.

I'm also another one who has the vapours with 'should/could/would of' instead of 'should/could/would have'!

I know for many it doesn't matter, or is seen as a 'fuss about nothing', but the fact is common grammatical errors such as this can (and do) make the difference between someone taking another person seriously in a formal written context.

Wrong use of apostrophes is bad, but also people who use 'a' instead of 'an' before a vowel. I've seen so many lately eg a egg.

I also see 'of' being used instead of 'if'. It's horrifying! Why would anyone do that?

I'm fed up of seeing 'been' when 'being' is meant. I'm fed up of seeing contracted pairs too, like the despicable 'alot', which cannot be an autocorrect from a phone/tablet! I also dislike this 'needs fed' type expression. Don't get me started on 'invite' when it should be invitation! Argh!

I see a lot of people write an apostrophe after numbers and always thought it was wrong but actually according to Mr. Internet it is acceptable - eg. the 1900’s or I’ve learnt my 6’s and 7’s timetables.
Also, how do you feel about “always dot your I’s and cross your T’s”

What is the rule with names?

Let’s pretebd there’s a girl called Lois and I’m going to her house...

1. I’m going to Lois’s house.
2. I’m going to Lois’ house.

Which is correct??

data.grammarbook.com/blog/apostrophes/apostrophes-with-names-ending-in-s-ch-or-z/

This is a clear explanation of the name thing.

Maybe it’s vexause it’s early morning and I’m sleep deprived but that doesn’t seem like a “clear explanation” to me

Queen, both your Lois examples are correct — it’s only that different style sheets have different preferences. APA prefers ‘Jesus’s life’, Chicago ‘Jesus’ life.’

I have two boys and my phone keeps changing it to boy's. It really annoys me. Not as much as the phone changing its to it's.

I think apostrophes will die out eventually. I used to find a misplaced apostrophe infuriating, but I'm getting more sanguine about it now. In the same way, I no longer wince at a split infinitive.

There are things that annoy me more: different to. rather than different from, bored of instead bored with or bored by and (my pet hate) less when it should be fewer.

On Facebook, there’ll be comments e.g. love my girl’s and I’m gritting my teeth thinking, “your girl’s what?”

I would always use Lois's house because that's what you would say out loud 'lois-es'

I was taught this at primary school as basic stuff

Unlike the correct spelling of laugh apparently

WeeTinkerMonkey: It was joke, like ''aving a larf" an approximation of colloquial dialect. It disrupts the discourse, brings in humour, readily identified by the audience.

Kind of thing.