Hamptons Spelling and Grammar: the Hamptons

Welcome to the inaugural post of Hamptons Spelling and Grammar, an ongoing series about the correct way to spell and use names and other words that frequently turn up in writing and conversation on the East End.

Today, we look at a name that often gets botched in fliers and signs: “the Hamptons.”

The Hamptons sounds like a plural proper noun, but it is, in fact, singular. This is because it refers to one region.

Incorrect: The Hamptons are a great place to live.
Correct: The Hamptons is a great place to live.

Incorrect: The Hamptons are beautiful this time of year.
Correct: The Hamptons is beautiful this time of year.

Incorrect: The Hamptons are a collection of villages and hamlets on the South Fork.
Correct:  The Hamptons is a collection of villages and hamlets on the South Fork.

Unless the words are starting a sentence, “the Hamptons” should be written with a lowercase “the.” Though you may often see it written “The Hamptons,” this is incorrect. The word “the” does not get a cap here because it is just like referring to any other region, e.g., the North Fork, the Northeast, the East End.

Incorrect: I am going to a fundraiser in The Hamptons this weekend.
Correct: I am going to a fundraiser in the Hamptons this weekend.

Many writers and sign makers abuse apostrophes when it comes to the Hamptons. Unless “the Hamptons” is possessing something, there should not be an apostrophe.

Incorrect: I enjoy summer in the Hampton’s.
Correct: I enjoy summer in the Hamptons.

And make sure that when the situation does call for an apostrophe, it is put in the right place:

Incorrect: The Hampton’s beaches are the best.
Correct: The Hamptons’ beaches are the best.

Sometimes, because of that tricky “s” on the end, writers will put in an apostrophe when really they are using Hamptons as an adjective and an apostrophe does not belong.

Incorrect: A Hamptons’ man and a New York woman are getting married.
Correct: A Hamptons man and a New York woman are getting married.

Incorrect: Hamptons’ resident John Smith got married yesterday.
Correct: Hamptons resident John Smith got married yesterday.

We hope you found this helpful. Keep checking Blog du Jour for more and follow Dan’s Papers on Facebook for updates.

Did you see your pet peeve here? Do you disagree with these grammar rules? Leave a comment below with your take.

MORE HAMPTONS SPELLING AND GRAMMAR:

Lesson 2: Water Mill Lesson 3: Westhampton Lesson 4: Southampton Lesson 5: Sagaponack Lesson 6: Noyac