Punctuate This

Let's have some fun with punctuation!

1. Can you punctuate the following words so they make sense?

• That that is is that that is not is not is not that it it is

2. Who's in charge here?

• A clever dog knows it's master.

3. Would you hire this butler?

• The butler stood at the door and called the guests names.

Answers:

1. That that is, is. That that is not, is not. Is not that it? It is.


2. The dog is definitely in charge; it knows it is master.


3. I wouldn't hire that butler; he's being rude to my guests. I would only hire a butler who calls the guests' names (the names of the guests).

Proper Nouns Use Same Spelling Rules as Regular Nouns

During the holiday season, it never ceases to amaze me how many people don't know how to get the spelling of their names correct on the cards they send out.

Not The Jones's (possessive)

But The Joneses
Or The Jones Family

Of course, it doesn't help that Word and other grammar-check programs don't get this either.

Use the rules for making regular nouns plural when printing or signing your holiday cards and emails:

• Add an s to most words that don't end in an s.
• Remember the exceptions--we add es to most words that end in ch, o, s, sh, x, y (change to i), and z.
• There are exceptions to these basic rules, of course, but I'm not going into them here.
  

So, for those of you with names ending with ch, s, sh, x, and z, be aware that everyone will think you're spelling your name wrong when you're actually spelling it right. Easy way out:

The Branch Family--Branch is an adjective in this construction and doesn't need to be made plural.

Happy Holidays!