Please check for this one major error before sending out Christmas cards or hanging a personalized ornament on your tree.
The Biggest Pain of Christmas
For me, the worst part of the holiday season is going to the mailbox, but for others, it can be wrapping gifts or stringing up Christmas lights.
No, it’s not because I despise our mailman or loathe going outside in the cold to retrieve the mail.It’s getting happy Christmas cards that are signed or addressed as follows:
I keep seeing the same error made around the holidays, and I’m at my breaking point! Here’s a refresher on the issue if you didn’t see it earlier.
Proper Way to Pluralize Family Names
Has the phrase “Merry Christmas from the Johnson s” ever been signed on a card you’ve received?
Why are they possessive, and who are the Johnsons? Were they claiming Christmas?
“Happy Holidays from the Smith s” would be a better option.
What are the Smiths? Their canine companion? Their unresolved drama during the holidays?
This is one thing that REALLY irritates me, and I know I’m coming across as the critical grammar police, but I can’t help myself.
Illinois, here’s the thing: pluralizing last names isn’t that difficult.Simply add a s to the end of the name if it doesn’t already. Simple!
But wait—what if the last letters of your friend’s name are s, z, x, ch, or sh?To prevent pandemonium, add an es. Both “From the Williamses” and “Greetings from the Hutcheses!” are accurate. The Joneses replace the Jones family. The clan of Ramirez? The Ramirezes.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that plurals do not contain apostrophes.Instead of multiples, apostrophes indicate possession.
Simply omit the plural form and use “The Zimmerman Family” OR “Love, The Zimmerman Family” in its place if this is all too complicated.
We all wish you and yours (properly pluralized, of course) a happy holiday season.
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