Well explained and simple enough really when you think about it.

you wouldn't think it was simple from the chalk board menus in most of the Brit bars around here

IT is a whole different language but if a programmer makes a mistake the program runs incorrectly or not at all.
These days since most people don't get taught english grammar anymore (thus making it more difficult to learn another language) we are all supposed to ignore mistakes because we should be able to guess what was meant. If you pick someone up on their spelling or grammar it's just being pedantic. So I don't know how children are supposed to learn.

Here's a classic from my next door neighbours:

Him "so I gave him 5 euros and said 'Derecha mate'. E just looked at me like I was stupid or something."
Her "wot was wrong with that? 'All right mate' that's universal innit?"

Do they teach the proper use of apostrophes in primary schools in the UK now? I know it's on the GCSE requirements because in recent years I have tutored a few kids for English GCSE - the GCSE textbooks have sections about it

maybe they just leave it too late

I DO pick my kids up if they make mistakes with their English - but I wouldn't dream of doing so to a perfect stranger on a forum - as so many sadly seem to

strangely - or maybe not - my kids don't have a problem with apostrophes

maybe it's because Spanish is pretty much their first written language & they have learned written English almost as a foreign language - the Spanish people I've taught never seem to have a problem either - contractions are taught pretty much from day one, as are plurals

No sorry, please don't think I was suggesting we should all be correcting each others grammar or spelling. I think that should be left to parents and teachers. I just don't think it happens much these days. My nephew asked me to look over his university application 5 years ago. It was riddled with bad grammar, spelling mistakes and ambiguity. Yet he was a bright boy at a good school and went on to get a 2:1 and then an Msc at Sheffield.

As for the neighbour who thought 'derecha' meant 'all right' in spanish. He's been asked to help with the english class at the local school.

Better mind my ps and qs in future then.

no!! I didn't think you were suggesting that - I think it's sad - almost rude - that others feel the need to on a forum, as some do

I meant to comment on the 'derecha' thing - that wouldn't be the first time I've heard that - & I feel so sorry for the kids he'll be teaching

True, an apostrophe. Just didn't want to sound too didactic & thought I might be accused of being snobbish!!

However, don't forget situations such as "the boys' books" or "the lambs' tails".

There is also chinese and Arabic and Urdu/Hindi thats quite commonly used around the world

well yes, when you have plural 'possessors' as it were

& the exception of 'it' as the possessor - no apostrophe

eg. it's its tail................

Ain't that the truth!

And initializations!

Mind your p's and q's.

He had three PhDs, but there were six Ph.D.'s in the room. Or, my town has two YMCAs, but the next town has three Y.M.C.A.'s.

I think.

Ain't English grand?

Note to self, read entire thread before posting. See it's covered.