Guest  +  98536 Thu, 12 May 05 10:56 AM I used to be convinced that the plural did not take the apostrophe as it was not a possessive but I now see the apostrophe used in many places and am full of doubt. What is the correct usage? There are road signs showing "H.G.V.'s only". Surely that can't be right? Would the abbreviation of 'housepoints" be HPs of HP's? If the apostrophe usage is correct then presumably we would see MP's rather than MPs and if this were the case, something belonging to a number of MPs would be MP's' or even MP's's rather than MPs' Can someone please put me right and provide a recognized source so that I can go into battle. Many thanks Guest Plurals, Abbreviations, Possessives, Apostrophes

	Mister Micawber  +  98580 Thu, 12 May 05 01:07 PM As you say, this is still a bone of contention, but I believe that most authorities adhere to the simple rule of 'no possessive ergo no apostrophe'. At least I do, and would unhesitantingly write: H.G.V.s only seven HPs seven MPs seven MPs' hats. Exceptions are usually made for the few cases where confusion is possible, the classic example being 'mind your p's and q's'. Here is one SOURCE, and here's ANOTHER. Googling 'apostrophe' will get you several more, with slightly varying opinions, especially re numerals and acronyms. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,769 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.' Grammar, Plurals, Abbreviations, Possessives, Apostrophes

	khoff  +  98625 Thu, 12 May 05 03:51 PM Mr. M. - what is your preferred way to show the plural of a letter of the alphabet? In "Mississippi" there are four _________, four ___________ and two __________. S's?? "S"s?? (Surely not Ss.) Thanks! -khoff khoff Joined on Sun, Mar 6 2005 Senior Member 3,264 Native speaker of American English (but not a grammar expert) Plurals, Abbreviations

	Mister Micawber  +  98850 Fri, 13 May 05 05:42 AM 'Four esses, four ayes and two pees.' 'Four s's, four i's and two p's, ' if I had to. Mister Micawber Plurals, Abbreviations

	khoff  +  99361 Sat, 14 May 05 07:55 PM I think we'll have to agree to disagree here - I would never use "esses," unless it was in a Scrabble game, in which case it might come in handy. I would probably write "s"s. khoff Plurals, Abbreviations

	MrPedantic  +  308246 Thu, 28 Dec 06 10:37 PM (I would prefer 1990s.) MrP MrPedantic Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004 Veteran Member 12,592 ...opella forensis / adducit febris...

	Grammar Geek  +  308257 Thu, 28 Dec 06 11:39 PM  MrPedantic wrote: (I would prefer 1990s.) MrP So would the AP stylebook. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,652 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random! Plurals, Abbreviations