plural-001 should GuidesAPI docsMarketingBlog Do not use parenthetical plural markers such as (s) or (ren). Choose a singular or plural form, or rewrite the sentence.
Pluralization
Most plurals need no rule; these cover the cases that trip writers up — hedged counts, trademarked names, and abbreviations.
No parenthetical plurals
Section titled “No parenthetical plurals”Examples
- ✓ Delete the log files before you rerun the command.
- ✗ Delete the log file(s) before you rerun the command.
Rationale
“(s)” forces the reader to resolve the number themselves; committing to singular or plural, or rewriting, is clearer.
Don’t pluralize trademarks
Section titled “Don’t pluralize trademarks”plural-002 should GuidesAPI docsMarketingBlog Do not pluralize trademarked product names by inflecting the trademark itself; instead append a generic plural noun after the singular trademark (‘Mac computers’, not ‘Macs’).
Examples
- ✓ The test lab has six Mac computers.
- ✗ The test lab has six Macs.
Rationale
Pluralizing a trademark alters the mark; a generic noun after it, as in “Mac computers,” keeps the mark intact.
Unit abbreviations don’t pluralize
Section titled “Unit abbreviations don’t pluralize”plural-003 should GuidesAPI docsMarketingBlog Don’t pluralize unit-of-measure abbreviations when used with a number. The full word pluralizes; the abbreviation does not.
Examples
- ✓ Attachments up to 25 MB are supported.
- ✗ Attachments up to 25 MBs are supported.
Rationale
Unit-of-measure abbreviations act as symbols, and symbols don’t take an English plural: “250 MB”, not “250 MBs”. The spelled-out word still pluralizes.
Match term and abbreviation in number
Section titled “Match term and abbreviation in number”plural-004 should GuidesAPI docsMarketingBlog When spelling out a term alongside its abbreviation, ensure both are consistently singular or both plural (‘virtual machines (VMs)’, not ‘virtual machines (VM)’).
Examples
- ✓ You can attach up to four virtual machines (VMs).
- ✗ You can attach up to four virtual machines (VM).
Rationale
The spelled-out term and its abbreviation should agree in number so the parenthetical matches.