Apostrophes with Acronyms and Abbreviations
Apostrophes in Plural Acronyms and Abbreviations
It is common to see an apostrophe used in the plural of an abbreviation or an acronym. For example:- She had two CJJ's.
- Buy three CD's for the price of two.
- Our garage can do twenty MOT's in day.
Table of Contents
- Apostrophes in Unwieldy Plurals
- Apostrophes in Uppercase Plural Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Apostrophes in Awkward Plurals
- Test Time!
Apostrophes in Unwieldy Plurals
If the writer thinks an apostrophe helps readers, then one can be used in the plural of an abbreviation or an acronym. For example:- She sent two SOS's.
- I have five SUS's in my care.
- She sent two SOSs.
- I have five SUSs in my care.
Apostrophes in Uppercase Plural Abbreviations and Acronyms
When only capital letters can be used, it is permissible to use an apostrophe to show the plural of an abbreviation or an acronym. (This happens mostly in document titles or advertisements.)- CDS REQUIRES THREE CD'S (The Chief of Defence Staff requires three compact discs.)
- VISITING SUS'S AFTER 1 APRIL (Visiting Soldiers under Sentence after 1 April)
Apostrophes in Awkward Plurals
Apostrophes can also be used in other awkward plurals. For example:- Your 2's look like Z's.
- You use too many and's in your writing.
- There are two a's, two c's, and two o's in accommodation.
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Test Time!
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