To tell teacher friend about grammar error?

[ImaSababa]

A friend of mine is a primary school teacher, and is making and selling cushions on Facebook. Lovely. The problem is, they're riddled with mistakes, such as "Christmas at the Johnson's" when surely is should be "Johnsons'".

Should I tell her?

Blimey, this thread is terrifying!

@Neversleepingever

Apostrophe for possession. Who does the house belong to?

That would only be correct if there was only person living in the house, ie Christmas at Mr Johnson's. There are more than one so it has to be Johnsons'

*only one person

But I don't think you're right @Neversleepingever

No! Don't!

I don't have the expectation that teachers always get it right though.

I don't mean that as a dig but I don't see it as that surprising or that unusual that they get it wrong occasionally. They should be allowed to get it wrong occasionally, they're human.

Teachers don't necessarily have that 'gift' with spelling and grammar. My mother has it and she was a nurse. I don't have a degree so I'd never correct a teacher, even though I have spotted their mistakes. I want to be liked more than I want to be right.

@TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup

Nope. Shortened version of Christmas at the Johnson's house.

Plural version would be Christmas with the Johnsons.

That's not correct. Turn it round. It's not "Christmas at the house of the Johnson" is it? At least I hope not!

I wouldn't tell her OP. Or is she putting these messages on the cushion?

Mind you, I saw a report recently on a school website which among many typographical errors included a reference to "the school principle"

@Neversleepingever I think a lot of your ex pupils are on here. Unfortunate as you are wrong.

@longwayoff

You ommited a question mark at the end of your sentence. More attention to your own grammar before opining on other people.

@longwayoff - where did the OP omit a question mark? It's there in the thread title and at the end of her opening post.

Oh, and you misspelt "omitted".

@Neversleepingever www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/what-happens-to-names-when-we-make-them-plural-or-possessive

@Neversleepingever

Eek, sorry for major spam. I taught grammar for year 5 a couple of years ago and we spent a few weeks covering 'apostrophe for possession'

I think you should ask your friend about it. She could give you (and other PP's a lesson!)

You're incorrect there @Neversleepingever. Maybe time for a refresher course in grammar?

It would only be Johnson's if Johnson were a title. The Johnson. The Queen. The Johnson's House. The Queen's House.

But Johnson isn't a title, it's a surname used, presumably, by more than one person (Mr & Dr Johnson), so it should be Johnsons'. OP is correct.

Just again. www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/what-happens-to-names-when-we-make-them-plural-or-possessive

Anyone else taking extra care checking their posts?

‘The Johnsons’ (house)’ is right?
Really, it’s Johnsons’s (house) but that’s bad style?
Ferk, school seems such a long time ago

@Neversleepingever

Eek, sorry for major spam. I taught grammar for year 5 a couple of years ago and we spent a few weeks covering 'apostrophe for possession'

I think you should ask your friend about it. She could give you (and other PP's a lesson!)

Really?

@Dahlietta

Blimey, this thread is terrifying!

I know!!!

I’m just wondering who the hell the Johnson is

I was always taught, never put a comma before and .

And again. www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/what-happens-to-names-when-we-make-them-plural-or-possessive

Just fucking look at the link if you’re thinking of saying OP is wrong. It’s clearly set out.

I know!!!

I’m just wondering who the hell the Johnson is grin

It sounds like a feudal title!

@CatherineSanderson, isn’t it slang for a penis? 🤭😂

Don't you mean peni's?

@kursaalflyer

Crikey it's like deja-vu. Just had exactly the same on a FB thread with hundreds of posts. Pages and pages of people swearing it's "at the Johnson's".

Christmas at the Johnsons'
Christmas with the Johnsons
Christmas at Mrs Johnson's

This one is correct! Blimey

Editor here. It's the Johnsons' - OP is right.

I'd tell her privately.