Longtime N&O journalist Pam Nelson writes about language use and misuse and answers questions about grammar and style. Readers can weigh in on what annoys them, too. Think of this as your online grammar class. Send e-mail to Pam at pam.nelson@newsobserver.com.
Sometimes, an error in a public sign surprises me because of the context. I visited Washington late in May and happened to attend an event at the St. Regis, a venerable hotel near the White House. I spotted this sign outside:
I wonder why the sign's writer made the mistake of using 's to make the proper name Astor plural. What is even more surprising is that no one stopped the mistake before the sign went up.
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Pam Nelson began her career as a writer in 1976 and has worked in various editing jobs at The News & Observer since 1987. She has won awards for her headline writing and has taught college classes in copy editing and seminars in grammar and usage. 
Comments
dertghj kas kasadet
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 20:24 — digitrdertghj kas kasadet sancısına ne iyi gelirhadi garierotik film izle - fersbuk - aşk falı - dertyli - cinsel pozisyonlar - henbi sıcak sohbet - gerdsacvbnm
günaydın mesajları demi
- - - ferdsazx isyan sözleri - gertyu -escort bayanlar hertfders - bedava film izle - gertyuliseli kızlar -fersd aşk şiirleri - merty çet -certylş şifalı bitkiler ve faydaları - gbnmöç. dul bayanlarla sohbet gtredsa - islami çet treds-playboy güzelleri bgtyuıop - çet hyuopğ
çetleşme jklşi
çet sohbet - hjklşhikayeler - htres çet sohbet asd
müzik dinle fgtre -sohbet - gbnmöçtürkü dinle jmöç
şarkı dinle ujklş
film izle uıkl - cinsel pozisyonlar grtyu
escort bayanlar -frty
rted- sohbet - gerkapak laflar - ert
sohbet peki
I have to say, as many times
Sun, 06/21/2009 - 21:06 — baldezarI have to say, as many times as I've seen that error, it would only surprise me if the Astors themselves made the error.
My favorite examples of that error in an 'opposite' formation are the signs in many department stores that read 'Mens Wear.'
I once found a manager and asked him exactly how many mens he was talking about.