Do you see the punctuation error in this sentence? (And yes, the word punctuation is a hint.)
“This historical fiction series accurately depicts the time of London during the 1920’s and 1930’s.”
Those apostrophes don’t belong. It’s not the 1920’s and 1930’s. It’s the 1920s and 1930s. We don’t use apostrophes to make words plural, as I’ve said elsewhere. But I’ll say it again:
- Don’t use apostrophes to make words plural.
- Don’t use apostrophes to make words plural.
- Don’t use apostrophes to make words plural.
No, this mistake is not as bad as this classic…
…or this one…
…but it’s still wrong. And when you’re writing at work, you need to get the details right every time you write.
Do you need to brush up on your punctuation? Download the brand new and FREE Guide to Punctuation, and make sure you’re right when you write.
Sharon Ernst
Sharon Ernst is a freelance editor and writer at www.weknowwords.com, a teacher and coach at www.betterfasterwriter.com. And a farmer and planet saver at www.literalroadfarm.com.