For any true stickler, you see, the sight of the plural word "Book's" with an apostrophe in it will trigger a ghastly private emotional process similar to the stages of bereavement, though greatly accelerated. First there is shock. Within seconds, shock gives way to disbelief, disbelief to pain, and pain to anger. Finally {and this is where the analogy breaks down}, anger gives way to a righteous urge to perpetrate an act of criminal damage with the aid of a permanent marker.
by Lynne Truss
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The use of an apostrophe in the plural "Book's" can provoke intense feelings in grammar enthusiasts, akin to a rapid emotional response to grief. Initially, one might feel shock upon encountering such a mistake, quickly followed by disbelief and the realization of the oversight. Pain arises from the violation of grammatical rules, leading to anger at the misuse of punctuation.

This anger can culminate in a desperate urge to correct the error, perhaps by using a permanent marker. This vivid emotional journey illustrates how deeply some individuals care about proper punctuation and how minor mistakes can elicit strong reactions.

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January 31, 2025

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