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[OM] Re: [OT] The Do's and Don'ts of apostrophe placement

Subject: [OM] Re: [OT] The Do's and Don'ts of apostrophe placement
From: keith_w <keith_w@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2006 08:57:06 -0700
Walt Wayman wrote:
> Aw, rats! I wrote: "... all SSRs (note proper lack of apostrophe) ..."
> 
> Now I'm not even sure about that. SSR's? All models of the SSR? All SSR
> roadsters? All Toon Town trucks like mine?
> 
> Ain't English fun?

Yes.

> Walt

 From the source I quoted, also appended below, SSR is technically "a word 
discussed as a word," so adding an apostrophe and an "s" to denote its plural 
is proper.

Think about it:
"SSR's" is unambiguous. It could connote either plural or possessive, but that 
is easily determined by context.
On the other hand, "SSRs" might stand for "Model SSRs" for all the reader knows.

You all know the old saw: Eschew ambiguity!

keith whaley

> -------------- Original message ------------ 
> From: keith_w <keith_w@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Moose wrote:
>>> Walt Wayman wrote:
>>>> Would you prefer OM-4Tis or OM-4Ti's?

>>> I avoid the problem by writing "OM-4Ti bodies".
>>> 
>>> Moose

>> Hi Moose, and all...
>> 
>> From a textbook on "Writing Rules":
>> 
>> "An apostrophe and s are used to form the plural of a letter, a number, a
>>  sign, or _a word discussed as a word_."
>> 
>> [underlining is mine...]
>> 
>> "e.g. "You use too many and's in your writing.""
>> 
>> In the case of making "OM-4Ti" plural, OM-4Ti is technically considered a
>>  word, so the plural form OM4Ti's is perfectly acceptable.
>> 
>> So is Moose's way!  ;-)
>> 
>> keith whaley

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