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Fathers and Parents

6 replies

Johnmeh · 11/05/2016 16:54

Surely it's Fathers' day? Every card I have ever seen says Father's.

Is it a parent's evening or a parents' evening? Apologies if this has been done to death.

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VulcanWoman · 11/05/2016 17:14

This drives me potty too. Father's and Parent's I think.

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VulcanWoman · 11/05/2016 17:18

What the heck is the little mark called.

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MummyTheTramEngine · 11/05/2016 17:20

Apostrophe?

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didyoureally · 11/05/2016 17:34

Fathers' Day because fathers (plural) are celebrated and Parents' Evening because all the parents of the children are invited - not one parent. The apostrophe goes after the s when the word is plural, and before the s when it is singular.
You might say "in my father's day..." or "his father's car is white" - referring to one father.

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VulcanWoman · 11/05/2016 17:43

Mummy thank you, my mind just doesn't retain these things, I will try though.
did that will definitely not be retained

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DadDadDad · 12/05/2016 13:29

Well, we did Mother's / Mothers' Day recently, and usage seems to be with 's whatever pedants might say. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pedants_corner/2586000-mother-s-day-or-mothers-day