Yesterday I went on an urban hike. Climbing stairs among lush greenery, I spotted the sign below. Not again! Someone had once again printed a sign without checking on their use of apostrophes. Don’t do it! Before creating a sign or printing cards that include an apostrophe, read this post.
I am pleased and grateful that the Seattle Department of Transportation rehabilitated the stairs. But their use of apostrophes? Not so much.
Structure’s Crew’s Do you think either of the apostrophes is correct?
Here’s a hint to help you: The Capital Projects and Roadway Structures Division is a division of the Seattle Department of Transportation.
So, do you think either one of them is correct?
Unfortunately, both apostrophes are wrong. Since Structures is part of the name of the division, breaking it up with an apostrophe is wrong. And since crews is a simple plural, it should not have an apostrophe either.
Here’s what the sign should say:
This stairway was rehabilitated in 2018 by SDOT Roadway Structures crews.
(with normal sentence capitalization)OR
This Stairway Was Rehabilitated in 2018 by SDOT Roadway Structures Crews
(with title capitalization)
We need to use apostrophes to show possession–not to show plurals like Structures and Crews.
It is possible to create sentences in which Structures and Crews do need apostrophes. Here are examples:
SDOT Roadway Structures’ mandate is to complete projects on time and on budget.
(The mandate of the Roadway Structures Division is Roadway Structures’ mandate–a possessive form)The SDOT Roadway Structures crews’ efficiency won them an award.
(The efficiency of the crews is the crews’ efficiency–a possessive form.)
That stairway sign shouted out to me, especially because just the day before, I had been visiting an elderly friend and reading her Christmas cards to her. Two of them were custom printed:
Happy Holidays and a Joyful New Year from the Henderson’s!
The Stauffers’ Wish You a Blessed Christmas
Both the Hendersons and the Stauffers had had their holiday cards printed without a review of the punctuation. Neither name needs an apostrophe! They are simple plurals.
Could we write greetings that require apostrophes? Yes. Consider these:
From the Hendersons’ Home to Yours: Happy Holidays and a Joyful New Year!
(The home of the Hendersons is the Hendersons’ home–a possessive.)The Stauffers’ Wish Is That You Have a Blessed Christmas
(The wish of the Stauffers is the Stauffers’ wish–a possessive.)
Let’s test your understanding. Insert apostrophes where necessary in these three statements:
- The Hendersons project received a permit from the SDOT Roadway Structures Division.
- That crews work was singled out by the mayor for commendation.
- The Stauffers invited the Hendersons to the Olsons New Year’s Eve party.
Compare your answers with mine.
- The Hendersons’ project received a permit from the SDOT Roadway Structures Division.
- That crew’s work was singled out by the mayor for commendation.
- The Stauffers invited the Hendersons to the Olsons’ New Year’s Eve party.
Explanations:
- The Hendersons’ project received a permit from the SDOT Roadway Structures Division.
The project of the Hendersons is the Hendersons’ project.
Structures is a simple plural and part of the name of the division.- That crew’s work was singled out by the mayor for commendation.
The work of that crew is that crew’s work.- The Stauffers invited the Hendersons to the Olsons’ New Year’s Eve party.
Stauffers and Hendersons are simple plurals. The party of the Olsons is the Olsons’ party.
If you would like more review of the use of apostrophes, read these blog posts:
- Do Not Use Apostrophes to Make Plurals
- A Tip on Apostrophes
- Mens and Womens Glasses
- Seattle Seahawks Apostrophe Test
If you have questions or comments, please ask them–before you have the sign or cards printed!
Lynn