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Pedants' corner

Kids Fact Books

10 replies

teachermummyme · 14/01/2023 17:10

I follow a local children's bookshop on Facebook; I like to buy from them when I can and support local versus relying on Amazon.

Recently they've been posting photos of their refit which involves changing sections around. One photo shows the section of fact books for children (books about vehicles, the body, animals - you get the idea). Their poster says 'Kids Fact Books'.

I privately messaged suggesting that the sign should read 'Kids' Fact Books' because the fact books are for (or belonging to) kids. I did so in a totally non-condescending way, as my intention was not to shame but simply promote correct use of apostrophes. I've received a reply saying that in this instance, simply 'Kids Fact Books' is correct. I've wracked my brain and the only instance in which I can imagine this to be correct is if all the books were fact books about kids!

Are they right? I always thought my understanding of apostrophe use was pretty solid but I'm very poorly in hospital on a cocktail of drugs and very willing to be told I'm barking up the wrong tree!

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SleepingStandingUp · 04/02/2023 12:27

Danikm151 · 15/01/2023 22:45

I informed my son’s old nursery that their leaflets was incorrect by saying kids instead of kids’. Right after they’d spent a lot of money printing them.

Manager looked gutted but that’s their fault for not getting a proof reader 😂

Surely its "their leaflet was" or "their leaflets were" not "their leaflets was"

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teachermummyme · 21/01/2023 16:01

@pigsDOfly HA! That did make me laugh. I'm still toying with the idea of replying to them and asking them to explain exactly why, in this situation, an apostrophe is not needed. Your idea however, is much more fun!

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pigsDOfly · 19/01/2023 17:17

Well, they're clearly wrong so I'm sure you know what you need to do.

This obviously requires an indelible marker. Then next time you're in the shop you can, in the sprit of services to apostrophes, put a nice big apostrophe next to the word kids.

Just make sure they don't catch you in the act though.

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Thesonglastslonger · 15/01/2023 23:49

You’re right. How funny that they won’t admit it.

There’s a building firm near me with a huge sign up saying “You’re Move” I wince everytime I pass.

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Danikm151 · 15/01/2023 22:45

I informed my son’s old nursery that their leaflets was incorrect by saying kids instead of kids’. Right after they’d spent a lot of money printing them.

Manager looked gutted but that’s their fault for not getting a proof reader 😂

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teachermummyme · 15/01/2023 22:36

Thanks all. Their reply has annoyed me a bit and I'm tempted to push it further and ask them exactly what about this instance makes the lack of apostrophe correct! But I don't want to get into a back and forth. I just wish they'd graciously taken my comment on board and changed the sign!

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upinaballoon · 15/01/2023 13:37

If there's only ever going to be one kid then it could be "the kid's fact books", but that's a very unlikely scenario.

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upinaballoon · 15/01/2023 13:35

I agree with you. They are the fact books of the kids and therefore "the kids' fact books", as far as I understand it.

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teachermummyme · 14/01/2023 22:34

Thank you. I think so too and can't really see a scenario in which they're right (apart from, as I mentioned, perhaps fact books solely about kids!) Hopefully some more people will be along to confirm for me soon!

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Alltheprettyseahorses · 14/01/2023 17:27

You're definitely right.

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