Yes, it's grammatically correct, but usually when the word 'special' is surrounded by quotation marks, it implies mental retardation. I guess the funny part here isn't the grammar but the implied message.
If what is meant is that the addressee is not merely special but "special" (say retarded), then one should use quotation marks twice when talking about the word itself:
" "special" " is the word that best describes you.
...followed closely by "Accident".
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
Sorry to say, but I think those quotation marks are legitimate, since the subject of the sentence is the word "special" itself.
ReplyDeleteNow, if the card had read something like:
You are "special"
...that would've been worthy of ridicule.
Ditto to Nathan - and I say this as a "hater" of unnecessary quotation-marks. (I always ask, "Quoting whom?")
ReplyDelete...because you're "beyond what is common or usual."
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
ReplyDeleteYour frenemy
...don't let this impersonal pre-printed salutation persuade you otherwise.
ReplyDelete"Happy Birthday!"
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteah, but DJP and Nathan, it wouldn't be nearly as funny without the quotation marks.
ReplyDeleteNathan and DJP are right. They're quoting a word that is the subject, so the quotation marks are correct.
ReplyDeleteThat is grammatically correct.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's grammatically correct, but usually when the word 'special' is surrounded by quotation marks, it implies mental retardation. I guess the funny part here isn't the grammar but the implied message.
ReplyDeleteYep. Seems valid to me.
ReplyDeleteBe sure that when you ridicule something that YOU know what you are talking about... ;)
'retarded' is what the doctors diagnosed. Never mind, Happy Birthday buddy!
ReplyDeleteThe Council of Grammar Nazis has issued its verdict! TO AUSCHWITZ WITH THE GRAMMAR TRAITOR!
ReplyDeleteAgreed with Nathan, DJP, and others. And Jackie, i think that was the point of the card.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, aside from some entries where the quotations seem to be legitimate but we can't know because of a lack of context, I love this blog!
If what is meant is that the addressee is not merely special but "special" (say retarded), then one should use quotation marks twice when talking about the word itself:
ReplyDelete" "special" " is the word that best describes you.