Most editors would say that when the result of adding an "s" is something like that, the apostrophe should be used. So does Chicago:
7.14 Noun coinages Words and hyphenated phrases that are not nouns but are used as nouns form the plural by adding s or es. To avoid an awkward appearance, an adjustment in spelling (or sometimes an apostrophe) may be needed. Examples: Ifs and buts, dos and don'ts, threes and fours, thank-yous, but maybe's and yesses and noes (or yes's and no's, especially if maybe's is also used) --------------- Bonnie Granat http://www.GranatEdit.com > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Cook > Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 5:43 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [TCP] What is the plural of... > > Pay-to? > > Assume that it's a thing (like time-out) and that I can't pluralize it > by writing times-out (even though that might seem to be more correct, > but it's not because it's a thing, a 'time-out'). > > If the plural of CD is CDs (not CD's) is the plural of Pay-to > 'Pay-tos'? That looks weird to my eye, like Pay-tauz, but not any > sillier than Pay-to's. > > tia, > -- > John Cook > Technical Writer / Help Author > john dot cook at gmail dot com > > _______________________________________________ > > Interested in Interactive 3D Documentation? Get the scoop at > http://www.doc-u-motion.com Your 3D Documentation Community. > _______________________________________________ > > Technical Communication Professionals > > To post a message to the list, send an email to [email protected] > > To find out more about the list, including archives and your > account options, visit > http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com > > If you need assistance with the list, write to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > _______________________________________________ Interested in Interactive 3D Documentation? Get the scoop at http://www.doc-u-motion.com Your 3D Documentation Community. _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals To post a message to the list, send an email to [email protected] To find out more about the list, including archives and your account options, visit http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com If you need assistance with the list, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
