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View Full Version : Word Use: Mission vs. Missions


pastorjohn
Mar 27, 2008, 07:59 PM
Please help me- I'm surrounded by people who say, "I'm going on a missions trip", and I believe that it's grammatically incorrect. I'm just not sure how to explain why it's wrong. Isn't the word "missions" the plural form of the word "mission".

Anything you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

PJ

supriya _82
Mar 27, 2008, 08:36 PM
Not if it is meant to be "mission's".

pastorjohn
Mar 28, 2008, 05:32 AM
No, it is not the possessive form of the word. I'm talking about the phrase "missions trip" as in a singular event experienced by a group of people when they travel to a location to participate in an outreach. I believe it correct to say "mission trip". But why? Or why not?

supriya _82
Mar 28, 2008, 06:00 AM
Sorry my mistake. Well it is as you say mission trip would be the right word to use for an individual going himself. BUT I guess when somebody is referring to a trip under the auspices of the various Missions one could refer to it as a Missions trip in the third person i.e. Missions for youth. And I gues the missions then would be spelt with a capital "M" (Missions).