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Ask for help > Help!! The Johnson ´s day / the Johnsons ´ day
Help!! The Johnson ´s day / the Johnsons ´ day
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MarionG
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Help!! The Johnson ´s day / the Johnsons ´ day
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I gave my students homework about the Johnson family, spending the day at the beach. The title is "The Johnson �s day at the beach". (It is an excellent sheet, btw, I downloaded it from here). I received an email from a parent (at 2.54 am!) saying that there is a mistake in the worksheet. It should read: The Johnsons � day at the beach. To be honest, I tend to agree with this mother. I would also have pluralized the family name and therefore added the apostrophe after the the s. If I had wanted the keep the family name singular, I would have written "The Johnson Family �s day at the beach".
Is there anything I can write to defend the original title? I have no problem telling her she �s right but I would like to be able to say something in defense of the original title. Anything to justify not having changed it ? (other than respecting someone else �s work)
(I remember I looked at it , frowned, wondered, and left it as is....)
At moments like these, I miss Les  . Les, whatever happened to you? Are you still around?
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12 Nov 2014
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Peter Hardy
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I �m with you all the way, Marion. In defence you might point out that the original form is rather formal. It �s an older piece, from forgotten days where proper grammar was to be used. Nowadays we are less formal, and may indicate a family as different people. Hence the popular plural usage. To keep the compromise in the middle, you may add the third (family) option as the �complete � title. Don �t tell that that was your other option, so neither feels proven wrong with the apostrophe options. (I know, I missed that career opportunity, too.) Cheers, Peter (Hoop dat het helpt).  |
12 Nov 2014
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MarionG
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Hi Peter, Thanks for your reply. Did I understand correctly? Did you imply that the original title actually applies proper grammar? Can you explain that a bit more? Are there reasons to not use the plural form of a family name? Is pluralizing family names a new thing?
BTW do you know what happened to Les (I think his username was idmagicman) I can �t find him anywhere anymore. edit: Found him, it was ldTHEmagicman!
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12 Nov 2014
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Peter Hardy
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Overall, my previous answer was more from a peacekeeping perspective. But, as first ideas are often the best, so yes, I implied that it was formal. I �ll leave it to others to give the in-depth grammar. (My brain is in slow-down mode). The more familiar use is common for a few decades by now, I think. Pretty much since we have mobile/cell phones. Or, as they don �t teach grammar at Ozzie schools since 1985, it might be since then. Definitely modern attitude. And sadly I can �t help you with Les � whereabouts or situation. Cheers, Peter
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12 Nov 2014
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MarionG
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Are you serious? They don �t teach grammar at all? wow, that �s interesting. Also here some people argue that grammar should not be a main point. (especially those who teach English speakers - which I suppose is the majority of teachers in Australia, here they are a clear minority) |
12 Nov 2014
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almaz
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Leaving aside that it�s really more about punctuation than grammar, can I bring the discussion down to gutter level and point out that the original heading with The Johnson + �s (specifying a single Johnson) only makes sense if you are familiar with a) the traditional Scottish form of address for a clan chief or laird (eg "The Chisholm") or b) one of the many slang terms for male genitalia (and that the beach was possibly a nudist one)? I �ll get my coat.
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12 Nov 2014
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MarionG
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@almaz,  I doubt the author meant THAT! So, basically yo are saying that the apostrophe placement in the original title is flat out wrong? Nothing in to say in its defense? |
12 Nov 2014
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yanogator
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Yes, flat out wrong. Unless, as Alex pointed out, it was just one person, who is called the Johnson, it doesn �t work. �S is for singular nouns.
I have a lesson on family names, their plurals, and their possessive forms. Here is a summary.
This is Mr. Smith. This is Mr. Smith �s car. (Singular possessive) This is his family. They are the Smiths. (Plural - No apostrophe) This is their house. It is the Smiths � house. (Plural possessive)
This is Mr. Charles. This is Mr. Charles �s car. This is his family. They are the Charleses. This is their house. It is the Charleses � house.
Bruce |
12 Nov 2014
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almaz
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Sorry, Marion. Unless it �s a single Johnson, it �s wrong. |
12 Nov 2014
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cunliffe
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Hi Marion,
I saw Les a while ago - we met up in Newcastle, England (his home town). He was lovely and a phenomenon. He just stopped posting on here and said he was too busy. He wasn �t very well, either, and he is no spring chicken. I pressed him to write a caption for the competition and oh that must be six months ago; maybe more. I �ll give him a ring at the weekend. You are right; he is sorely missed. What wit, what charm, what sheer intelligence and good nature. He treated me like a queen.
Be magnanimous about the apostrophe - thank this parent profusely for pointing out your simple typo. 
Edit: If you have a look at my power point �50 ready to go Activities�, you will see Les on slide 54. (Eh?) He is sitting beside a little fat bird.
Lynne
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12 Nov 2014
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manonski (f)
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Thank you for Lee �s update. I was wondering about him a month ago but never got around to asking here. |
12 Nov 2014
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