The abuse and misuse of the humble apostrophe

Misusing the apostrophe in plurals

By far the most common abuse of the apostrophe is when plurals are involved. Some people simply cannot resist the urge to slip one in between the word and the ‘s’ that makes it a plural!

How many times have you seen:

  • Carrot’s for sale
  • 1000’s of CD’s less than half price
  • Hi guy’s
  • New tyres and MOT’s while you wait
  • A range of menu’s to suit all budgets
  • When what you should have seen was:

  • Carrots for sale
  • 1000s of CDs less than half price
  • Hi guys
  • New tyres and MOTs while you wait
  • A ranges of menus to suit all budgets
  • The apostrophe should never ever be used to signify a plural. It’s abuse of the overuse variety!

    Forgetting the apostrophe

    Some say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. But in my case – and when it involves the apostrophe – it just makes my blood pressure rocket.

    Classic cases of neglect include:

  • Todays special offer
  • Its a snip at £9.99
  • Giovanis Pizza Emporium
  • Reinstating the apostrophe to its rightful home, the above examples should read:

  • Today’s special offer
  • It’s a snip at £9.99
  • Giovani’s Pizza Emporium
  • That’s better – normal blood pressure restored.