Correct plural posessive of "family"?

[GoodPeopleFlags]

We're making some decals for a company to hand out to employees about wearing their fall protection gear. The slogan is, "Make your families holidays bright... Check your fall protection twice." What is the correct spelling of families in that context? Would it be singular posessive, plural or plural posessive?

Family's
Families
Families'

 

[J Hill Designs]

aren't the holidays over?

 

[Tim Aucoin]

Families' would be correct in my opinion!

 

[signcrafters london]

You only have one. I vote Family's.

 

[bob]

We're making some decals for a company to hand out to employees about wearing their fall protection gear. The slogan is, "Make your families holidays bright... Check your fall protection twice." What is the correct spelling of families in that context? Would it be singular posessive, plural or plural posessive?

Family's
Families
Families'

Singular possessive as in 'Family's'.

With this sort of thing you're addressing an individual and its family not a collective and their families.

 

[SignManiac]

You're down south, shouldn't it be kinfolk?

 

[GoodPeopleFlags]

Ah! I believe you are correct! I guess since it says "your" specific family and not all of the families, it should be family's.

Thank you!

 

[Tim Aucoin]

I stand corrected (I think!!).

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_plural_possessive_of_families

 

[GoodPeopleFlags]

You're down south, shouldn't it be kinfolk?

Actually, it should be "y'all's mama n nem" (mama and them)

 

[thewood]

Singular possessive as in 'Family's'.

With this sort of thing you're addressing an individual and its family not a collective and their families.

I agree totally.

 

[oldgoatroper]

I stand corrected (I think!!).

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_plural_possessive_of_families

If you were responding to the question, "What is the proper form for plural-possesive family?", then you were right to start with. The link you supplied also properly delineates the usages. Why are you saying you "stand corrected"?

 

[GoodPeopleFlags]

He was correct with regards to the thread title but I didn't phrase that title correctly. So he was mistaken in the answer to the question in the thread. My fault!

 

[oldgoatroper]

He was correct with regards to the thread title but I didn't phrase that title correctly. So he was mistaken in the answer to the question in the thread. My fault!

Ok, gotcha... !

 

[signguy 55]

Actually, it should be "y'all's mama n nem" (mama and them)

I nearly spit out my RC cola and moon pie when I read that! That's the hardest I've laughed in a while.

Thanks ya'll.

"Ya'll see that new show on tv last night?"
"No, jew?"

 

[James Burke]

Actually, it should be "y'all's mama n nem" (mama and them)

It really should be "You'ns".

But seriously, "Family's" (singular, posessive) is the winner.

 

[mikefine]

It is none of the above. The holidays do not belong to families. So, why a possessive?
It should just be family.
"Make your family holidays bright." Also, it looks and sounds better for a sign -- don't you think? And if you don't agree with me, do a google search. It will confirm what I am saying.

 

[Mike Paul]

What about double checking their gear after the holidays?

I'd suggest rewording it and change the colors/text layout/background color every season to keep it noticeable.

Little repeat work would be nice also...

 

[skyhigh]

How about...
"check your gear, if you want to see next year"?

 

[JKADesigns]

Its fall protection... as in falling off a roof.

Not fall as in the season. So that makes anything referring to "next year" or the "holidays" the butt of jokes for 9 months of the year.

This is where it's going to get confusing for everyone involved using these kinds of phrases.


"Go home to your family tonight... check your fall protection twice" might be a better way to phrase it, as well as making it more imminent.

 

[James Burke]

"Check twice, fall none...show the fam...you're number one."

"Check twice, hold tight...and live to see another night."

"Check twice, and strap your rump...in case of unplanned bungee jump." (my favorite)

This is getting fun.





JB