4 Holiday Grammar Questions Answered

By: Mignon Fogarty (aka Grammar Girl) for readersdigest.com

As the holidays approach, we'll be putting pen to paper more than any other time of the year. Read these four tips from Grammar Girl to make sure you are giving the gift of proper grammar this holiday season.

PLUS: Download your FREE Reader's Digest Digital Christmas Edition

1. Are they your sisters-in-law or your sister-in-laws?
Many families have big gatherings at the holidays. It may be the only time of year you see all your siblings and their spouses at the same time. You make "in-law compounds" plural by making the noun part plural since the women are primarily sisters, and the -in-law part just further describes what kind of sisters they are.
- Sisters-in-law
- Brothers-in-law
- Fathers-in-law
- Mothers-in-law

2. Is gifting a verb?
Many people find the verb gifting annoying and wonder why others can't use the perfectly good word giving.

Gift has actually been used as a verb for 400 years, but it had fallen out of common use until recently when it seems to have experienced a revival. The Seinfeld episode, "The Label Maker," in which Elaine called a minor character a "regifter," along with changes in the tax code that addressed gifting money may have been factors in gift's resurgence. Although it's not technically wrong to say something such as "I'm gifting her earrings this year," give is almost always the less distracting choice.

PLUS: Give a free gift this holiday season with our 10 Printable Holiday Coupons

3. What's the difference between Jones', Joneses, and Jones's?
- Bob Jones is one Jones. His house could be called Jones's house (or Jones' house).
- Bob and Kim Jones are two Joneses. Their house could be called the Joneses' house.

4. Why are there so many different spellings of Hanukah?
There are many different spellings for the Jewish holiday also known as the Festival of Lights; the name of the celebration is translated from Hebrew and there are multiple credible ways to make the translation. Some acceptable spellings include Hanukkah, Chanukah, Hanukah, and Hannukah.

A word like this is a great example of why organizations need a style guide. The best way to deal with the variations is to pick a spelling and use it consistently.

New York Times bestselling author Mignon Fogarty, aka Grammar Girl, has a new book out called The Grammar Devotional: Daily Tips for Successful writing from Grammar Girl, which contains 365 quirky tips and tricks to improve your writing. You can buy the book here.

Get More Holiday Tips from Reader's Digest:

16 Cheap and Easy Christmas Decorating Ideas

5 Christmas Photo Card Templates

7 Last-Minute Christmas Centerpieces