That's a really good example--the pi's in particular. Not sure if I have room given some pagination limits I'm already at, but do you mind if I use your example?
larry
Larry Beason
Associate Professor & Composition Director
Dept. of English, 240 HUMB
Univ. of South Alabama
Mobile AL 36688
(251) 460-7861
>>> Dick Veit <[log in to unmask]> 01/16/12 4:13 PM >>>
Larry,
The rule of thumb I follow is to avoid apostrophes for plurals of words and
numbers, except when they are needed for ease of reading. Hence: "They
issued a long list of do's and don'ts." The plural of "don't" does not need
an apostrophe for easy reading, but the plural of "do" does. Similarly,
"There were two pi's and three omegas in the fraternity names." People
would have difficulty reading about dos and pis, so they get apostrophes.
So, in this case, pragmatism trumps a hard-and-fast rule.
Dick
On Mon, Jan 16, 2012 at 3:23 PM, Larry Beason <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Colleagues:
>
> I'm revising a chapter in a grammar book (McGraw-Hill Guide to Grammar &
> Usage) in terms of how the apostrophe is used to form certain plurals. As
> you probably know, the style guides (MLA and APA in particular) aren't
> always in agreement, although most grammar texts prohibit the plural
> apostrophe in cases where they've tolerated them before.
>
> The prohibition that most bothers me is with 'words used as words'. Thus,
> it seems most grammar books and style guides want us to use"Forget about
> all the whys and wherefores" rather than "Forget about all the why's and
> wherefore's". Seems awkward to me, though my personal opinion doesn't
> count much.
>
> I'm curious as to whether you agree with this prohibition--or if you find
> current reference texts that allow an apostrohe with words used as words?
>
> Larry Beason
>
> Larry Beason
> Associate Professor & Composition Director
> Dept. of English, 240 HUMB
> Univ. of South Alabama
> Mobile AL 36688
> (251) 460-7861
>
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