posted
I do quite a few house markers with the folks name on them. Which of these is correct?
"The Shortreeds" or "The Shortreed's" I thought that Shortreeds is plural....and the Shortreed's is possessive. So both could be correct...this is where the Shortreeds live or this is the Shortreed's house.
Yes? No?
What if the name ends in S?
Which would you pick?
Thanks,
Joe,
Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
On a house marker I would expect it without a possessive apostrophe because, when I think about "The Morrisons" for example, I'm thinking about the family members, not their house or other property.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Both are correct Joe. Explain the context and let them pick. I find that is one thing that is very important to have clear before you start. I've had clients ask me to change it both ways.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Ummmmm....What are you up to Joe? It's a great question with lots of options. I like to include the home's address (144) in an oval or similar panel and just use the last name. In this case Shortreed.
Another option is including the first names. Steve & Barb Shortreed.
The Shortreed Family is a third option. All 3 get rid of the extra s problem. Now is is Meyer or Meyers?
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
posted
I have always preferred just the name, no "s" too. With a house number of course. But it's a personal choice thing ultimately, and could go any way the customer wants. As far as the esses go...I like no apostrophe I guess.
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
While it's easier to have no "s" and no apostrophe, I think it's worth tangling with the choice because of the "The" that precedes the name. The "The" is one of the most esthetically pleasing words there is. If you're not feeling creative, you can always use Vector Art's "The"s.
Of course, every sign is different and I don't argue with the client if they're sure of their grammar; it's their sign. I just make sure they're sure.
Frank
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
We have neighbours whose surname is "Wood".
The number of people who name them Woods is amazing, and understandable, even when there is only one of them.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Mine says "Beware of Dog"; no "s's" or "apostrophe"...then house number...
I think most will find plural more accepted, like already said, it's about who's living there, vs., who owns it, if that be the case, most would have to be a bank's name...also point to make is in light of today's, shall we say, climate? It would be wise to eliminate habit of using last name, identity theft is abounding all over and why make it easier for them to target you? I'd use something like; "Casa de shoot first".........
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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The apostrophe denotes possession, not plurality. The plural form of Shortreed is Shortreeds. If your intention is to show that the Shortreed family lives here, the correct reading of the sign would be The Shortreeds.
If you are going to add an apostrophe to make the sign say The Shortreed’s, you need to finish the thought you have started and make it The Shortreed’s House, however, that denotes only one Shortreed. To be truly accurate, you would have to move the apostrophe to say The Shortreeds’ House, which would be a possessive plural.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Definitely get a copy of the great book: "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves"!!!!!
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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[ January 30, 2006, 07:31 AM: Message edited by: Ian Stewart-Koster ]
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
"We do a lot of rocks for yards with names on them & explain this all to them, but most want the apostrophe before the s." ----------------- For a single owner, it's OK; Shortreed's yard rock. If it's a "they" and they want plural-possessive, one must adopt a a shoolmarm posture. If they know better and just want to be cute, then one must assess one's capacity for cuteness.
-------------------- Bruce Williams Lexington KY Posts: 945 | From: Lexington, KY, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
While most customers initially think of putting "The Miller's" on their sign, I find that with some explanation most allow me to change this to "Miller" or "The Millers" which is grammatically correct. The first version is incorrect if they mean to say,"the Miller family" (which is amost always the case).
posted
LOL MS. CAT!! I was married to that guy . . . . . .
Dittos on the main question . . .
customers usually specify . . . or get asked to decide.
I too prefer just the last name . . . but if they want a 'The' before the surname, you can't say 'The Smith' . . . unless you add the word family . . . Sheesh . . . now we're getting into all kind's of ways to approach it, ey?
Anyway, they have to make the decision on how it will be pluralized. They only get two choices -with or without the apostrophe . . . narrows it down pretty well...
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Russ is right: No apostrophes in that blurb. If you write
PARKING FOR CUSTOMERS' ONLY VIOLATORS' TOWED
that implies something like customers' cars and violators' cars. A dumb parking sign is no place for subtleties. And when you use vinyl, the less punctuation you can get away with, the easier.
-------------------- Bruce Williams Lexington KY Posts: 945 | From: Lexington, KY, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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..."Shortreed's is possesive, but only as a singular. Steve or Barbs...not both."....
Uhh, that would be Steve's or Barb's...actually.
Listen! Tell them an apostrophe costs $10 extra and an apostrophe plus a "s" costs $20 extra.
The "short" list? LOL:
Steve's {something} Barb's {something} Steve Shortreed's {something} Barb Shortreed's {something} The Family Shortreed (nothing more) The Shortreed Family (nothing more} The Shortreeds' Home {nothing more} The Shorteed Homestead {nothing more} The Shortreeds {nothing more}
Uhh, now...what WAS the question?
It's all confusin' all ya'll's posted coz posting's so fun and all; but right is right and all ya'll needs is the right apostrophication.
Ask me, because as a WUNCH, I know...how to pluralize it AND possesive it.
There ain't no plurals in MY singular unit, but if so, it'd be The Wunches' Home ... plural and possessive.
Like I said before... it's ... *falls on the floor ... laughing*
~always your's *snickers*
~K
-------------------- Karen Wunch (kwunch on chat) A2Z SIGNS in Buford, GA 678.714.1965 ---------------- "Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest." ~~Beatrice Potter Posts: 126 | From: Buford Georgia | Registered: Jan 2003
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