Grammar Police v Wedding Party *MNHQ tweaked title at OP's request*

[WillLiveLifeAgain]

I'm usually OK with grammar but this one has me scratching my head. Probably lack of sleep (not over this).

Went to a wedding at the weekend. They had one of those neon signs with their surname but added an apostrophe. So it said

The Smith's (name changed)

Shouldn't it have said The Smiths? There were four of them including children. Not one belonging to something/someone.

I'm very happy to be proved wrong. I'm not a grammar nazi but would hope something like that would have been right?

I know this is AIBU so disclaimer obviously what matters is the happy marriage of two loving people not an apostrophe.

Yes, maybe. But then you'd just get a sign saying "Donna and Jim" or whatever wouldn't you?

😂That's brilliant!

But Heaven knows they're miserable now?

I used to drive past a motor dealer that sold van's car's and 4x4's. Massive letters, about a foot high.

No it doesn't end in an S but does end in a vowel.

Ooft, don't blame the printer/maker for these aberrations. When getting anything made, and I do a fair bit for work, the responsibility for any and all typos lies exclusively with the client. They don't have time (or inclination) to check spelling or punctuation.

Oh agree absolutely that the client signs off the proofs. I used to work in a similar field and really appreciated it when a printer or graphic designer flagged up an error. Everyone makes mistakes. From what the OP says though, her friend thought the sign was perfectly OK.

Still wrong. Apostrophe in the wrong place

Surely there would only be one Smith getting married? Or is that the twist, were they related?!!

Oh dear not a good look OP

‘Neither SHE NOR the person having it done thought to just double check…’

definitely should have been Smiths'

OP, you're right. That would have really set my teeth on edge, not to mention that it just sounds really tacky!

To those who wonder why the printer/signwriter didn't pick it up or say something...

My friend works in a print shop, and has the most impeccable grammar going (and when we used to work together would happily (and politely) correct things so that clients didn't get work that was sloppy). But she says she can't possibly correct everything that comes her way - she had to let that go very early on in her time there (she's been there about 6 years now). Lots of things are just plain wrong, and lots are passable but could be better, but the service they provide is a printing one, not a copywriting or editing one. If she had to correct everything that could or should be different then everything would take twice as long (going to and fro with the client, potentially entering into discussion about the right course of action, re-doing proofs, extra rounds of approval etc). They just have to print what they're given.

What I think is inexcusable is Etsy (or similar) sellers who actively sell grammatically incorrect signs. Like your 'The Smith's' example. I guess some people might correct the Etsy seller, but I bet loads wouldn't, because people who care about it being right would be unlikely to buy from them in the first place.

I guess they could add "it" to the end? 😉

You lost me at "Nazi". Completely inappropriate here in my view.

Luckily you can't see me.

BTW neither is picking holes in someone but I can't see you either so we're both OK.

A local garden building company has a van saying they do 'pagolas'. Obviously a cross between pagodas and pergolas!

Unfortunately all this poor grammar has become normalised to many people. I don’t think people making signs are going to be particularly bothered about grammar.

Of course there shouldn't be an apostrophe.

Embarrassing for them to lay out their illiteracy for all to see, but given it's on Facebook where 99% of posts contain errors in grammar and spelling, it won't stand out.

Also, if they're anything like very many posters on Mumsnet, if you told them they'd be up in arms shouting about how grammar and spelling don't matter at all; you're such a snob thinking you can spell better than they can; they didn't have the privilege of primary education; they've got dyslexia, autism or adhd;, they can spell perfectly well when needed but don't bother unless in a work situation etc. etc.

The apostrophe pet peeve. It seems to be everywhere and I can’t handle it.
’Could of’ drives me nuts.
I have whole list of offenders.
One I noticed last year when girls were attending race meetings was the sheer number of them posting about ‘going to the racers’ and ‘racers outfits’ it made me want to weep!
Apparently younger generations dislike full stops as they are a sign of aggression.
I see naked sentences all over the place now.

😳That's shocking