It’s that time of year—angels and children are singing, delivery people are working overtime, and grammarians are cringing. Now, I assure you that grammarians are not grinches; it’s just that the influx of holiday cards, family newsletters, and packages results in a dramatic uptick of a common grammar faux pas. You’ve witnessed the error even if you may not have realized it. So, let’s take a moment to review a fundamental grammar lesson about forming plurals. You could probably use a break from wrapping gifts anyway.
Plurals
Let’s say you are good friends with Indiana and Marion Jones, and they have sent you a Christmas card. How did they sign the card? They have several options to pick from. See if you can find the one that is grammatically incorrect in the list below.
- Indy & Marion
- The Jones Family
- The Jones’s
- The Joneses
If you think option three is incorrect, you’re right. Instead of making the name plural, the apostrophe indicates possession, which isn’t the intention in this case. This is the most common mistake found on greeting cards sent out any time of year but especially around the holidays. That’s why we are here to help! Take a look at our handy chart below to see how to form plurals of proper nouns.
Forming Plurals
- If your family name ends with
A, b, c, d, e, f, g, h*, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, t, u, v, w, or y
Add –s to make your name plural.
For example, I have received cards from the Pritchards, the Pillows, the Hubbles, and the Elliots this year.
*Family names ending in -h have two exceptions that fall under the second rule!
2. If your family name ends in
s, x, z, ch, or sh
Add –es to make your name plural.
I have not received letters from the Joneses, Churches, Bushes, or Martinezes yet.
Apostrophes
Someone out there is wondering when it’s ok to use an apostrophe to form a plural name. Surely there is a special circumstance that makes it the right choice, isn’t there?
Nope.
Family name + apostrophe + s = always wrong for plurals
An apostrophe will never form a plural. Apostrophes are for possession or contractions so we can say things like this:
I’ve just found the Joneses’ Christmas present!
The first apostrophe is forming a contraction of I have. The second apostrophe shows that the Christmas present belongs to the Jones family. It has nothing to do with plurality. The –es tells you that there is more than one Jones in the household.
Beware of Spellcheck
***Many software spellcheck programs will flag plurals of last names as errors. If you have followed these guidelines, your plurals are correct. Stand firm and don’t let spellcheck bully you into to making an incorrect grammar choice.***
Check It Twice
In the midst of all the holiday excitement, grammar is still important, friends. Santa is checking his list twice, so learn from his example and check your cards twice before you send them. Impress your friends and use the correct plural form of your family’s name. It’s a surefire way to stay on the nice list.
No matter how you sign your cards, we’re glad you’re here. From our family to yours, have a merry Christmas!