Does anyone know how to use an apostrophe?

Question

My grammar and spelling are no where near perfect, but some of the stuff I see is just ridiculous!

-Improper use of apostrophes (i.e. using them to pluralize a word like Lady's or Flower's

-Why do people do this: Call Target "Target's" or call Panera "Panera's" It is so damn annoying!

-It amazes me how often you'll see "There" used instead of "They're" or "Their"

Does this annoy anyone else? Is there anyone that does this that can explain why they do? I understand why people say "U" instead of "you" (Because they're lazy), but these mistakes are not saving keystrokes (They're actually doing the opposite).

Answer 1

It starts, I believe, with people not understanding the purpose of the apostrophe. No one would write 2+2+4 instead of 2+2=4 because they understand what the = means. When people don't understand that the apostrophe is used to stand in for absent letters or to attach a possessive S, they start screwing up. How many times do you have to suffer through things like 07' and ladie's before losing your mind?

Also, if you're interested, there's an Apostrophe Protection Society. http://www.apostrophe.fsnet.co.uk/ You can find them at that link.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Welcome to the crappy education in the public school system today!!
The teach only to test and meet the standard and keep their job, not to actually educate. I have 2 neices K and 3rd and they aren't really learning anything that I can see. The 8 yr old doesn't even know how to sound out a word if she doesn't know it on sight. And don't even get me started on math. I have no clue how they're going to survive and succeed in life.

Answer 3

I feel the same way about using "a" and "an". When using it in front of a word that starts with a vowel you should always use "an". Not "a orange" or "a apple". Let's get it right people!