The Grammar Cop announces the latest language infractions: all Covid, all the time!

1. It came on a day when Quebec introduced a new level of enforcement and fines for those who flaunt the rules.
2. What if I don’t feel well? Are their precautions taken to avoid catching the virus?
3. The Diamond Princess cruise ship became one of the first examples of a coronavirus superspreading event this winter, when more than 700 of it’s 3,711 passengers and crew…

And the corrections:

1. “Flaunt” is the wrong word in this context. It means to “show off” or to display in a boasting manner, which is not what is indicated here. The correct word is flout, which means to disregard, to defy. If you flout the rules, you may get the virus… like, well, whoooo could it be now?
2. Ouch. Did you flinch when you saw the incorrect choice made from among “there” – “their” – and “they’re”? The word “their” is a possessive pronoun referring to things that belong to them. Not what fits in this sentence. Here we need there, as in Are there precautions taken to avoid catching the virus? (Answer: Yes. Don’t stand too close to people. Wear a mask. Wash your hands.)
3. IT’S? Noooooooooo! IT’S is a contraction for IT IS. Here that’s not what is needed. Instead it should say ITS, because it is possessive (its passengers; its crew). ITS does not use an apostrophe as is the case with all other possessive pronouns: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs. Remember this for next year’s quiz. 😄

Please try to avoid all viruses as well as wayward, unwanted and unwarranted apostrophes! Stay safe, everyone. See you next week!