Apostrophe-s at the end of plural words?

[echoofformless]

Okay so I'm not trying to be a grammar nazi or any manner of an old fussabout here, but I have been continually noticing this phenomena everywhere I go lately. All over the internet and even on any written signs I see from place to place.

The other night I'm in the LFS and there it says: "Betta's $2.99"

I see it a lot on here so that's why I'm asking this: Why?

When was it ever instilled in any of us while we were learning to read and write that the 's belongs at the end of a plural word?

Again, I'm NOT being an old fussabout or a grammar nazi - I'm just baffled and curious about it and so I want to know why people are choosing to do it. Things like double negatives, spelling errors, choosing the wrong their, there and they're, etc are somewhat understandable mechanical errors that we make sometimes even when we do know better. But this one doesn't seem to have that sort of property.

If you do it, please tell me why so I can stop feeling so confused!

 

[Lupin]

I ain't understanding nothing. <<<<---Is that the double negative you mean, Echo? I actually think we sometimes do it for fun which is nothing wrong compared to formal dialogues.

My education is not like that. I've always been taught the apostrophe should be used in conveyance to ownership rather than in plural nouns.

 

[excuzzzeme]

"Betta's $2.99" is incorrect "Bettas $2.99" is correct. Betta's is possesive and Bettas is plural.

Bettas $2.99 means more than one betta. No apostrophe used.

Betta's means belonging to the betta.

 

[echoofformless]

Exactly. I thought the whole English speaking world pretty much agreed on that!

Oh except in the case of numbers. 8's, 7's and 6's etc.

 

[kog]

People make mistakes

noticing this phenomena

ps: *phenomenon

 

[echoofformless]

People make mistakes



ps: *phenomenon

Aha, see I made one! Exactly.

But I don't think this is a mistake. That is why it is so perplexing and makes me shake my head in bewilderment. I'm pretty sure this is on purpose because I see it happening so often and usually the writer repeats it several times.

 

[kog]

Sorta like how Americans have used "I could care less" incorrectly so often that its now practically considered to mean "I couldnt care less".

 

[SMinNC]

I su'x at grammar. And gotta blame it on them people's teachin me way back when. You know, the same ones that wouldn't allow a calculator in class. But then(15 yrs ago) demanded that my kids have a computer?

I'd have to guess anyone around the ages of 40-50 had the posturphies bestoweded in them by dum basses for teachers?
OR
Could just be me!

Even with all that. Something, "For Sell" gets on my nerve. : P

 

[Wycco]

You know it's odd... I've found myself doing the exact same thing lately... I'm about to hit "post" and then I notice I've made my plurals possessive.

I've only been doing it a few weeks or so- been driving me nuts- perhaps I subconsciously picked it up from here.

 

[snoopy65]

There are many to whom grammar is very difficult. The correct use of it is in ownership and for use in contractions. It is just one of many that is used incorrectly. The one that drives me crazy is a dangling preposition. Not everyone's native language is English nor can many English speaking people construct a sentence correctly and therefore I try to keep an open mind on their faux pas. However, in a business setting, I feel it is important to have the grammar correct. Otherwise it reflects badly on said business, in my opinion.