Wednesday, August 21, 2013

possessives - “in you_ and your family’s best interests”

I’ve seen this picture of a leaflet being tweeted today. It’s supposedly issued by the UK government and distributed widely:



The referendum is a once in a generation decision. The Government believes it is in you and your family’s best interests that the UK remains in the European Union.



Am I overlooking something or does it really contain the grammar error discussed in "You and your" vs. "Your and your"?



I could see the possessive ’s applying to the whole phrase




it is in (you and your family)’s best interests,





because the plural interests wouldn’t properly match singular your, i.e. it’s a short form of either of





  • it is in your best interest and in your family’s best interest

  • it is in your best interest and in your family’s best interests





instead of





  • it is in your best interests and in your family’s best interests


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