Plurals: Letters, Numbers, Symbols, Time Periods, etc.

From theUWF Writing Lab’s 101

Grammar Mini-Lessons Series

Mini-Lesson #77

*In some cases the apostrophe may be omitted.

Use an apostrophe and –s to form the plurals of letters, numbers, symbols, and words named as words.

NumbersKristi skated nearly perfect figure 8’s.

orKristi skated nearly perfect figure 8s.

The clothing rack did not have any size 3’s. or

The clothing rack did not have any size 3s.

Examples

*Many writers omit the apostrophe with plurals of numbers; either style is acceptable.

Time PeriodsLook what happened to employment in the 1990’s.

orLook what happened to employment in the 1990s.

Styles of the 1970’s are back in fashion. or

Styles of the 1970’s are back in fashion.

More Examples

*Many writers omit the apostrophe with plurals of time periods; either style is acceptable.

LettersStudents receive no credit for courses in which they receive F’s, WF’s or W‘s.

orStudents receive no credit for courses in which they receive or Fs, WFs, Ws.

The Italian language has no j’s or k’s.

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SymbolsThe +’s and –’s indicate positive and negative numbers.

Initials and abbreviationsJoanette McGadney has to PhD’s.

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Words used as wordsWe’ve heard enough maybe’s.

I have too many but’s in my sentence.

There are too many wherefore’s and whereas’s in legalese.

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