Re: Plural Form

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Wayne Stewart writes ...
> 
> I've always balked at calling group of IIe machines IIes. It looks
> like another model halfway between the IIe and the IIgs. Could
> anyone suggest a satisfactory way of writting this


     Well, Nathan Olson's idea-- "a group of IIe machines"-- will work.
(You could also have a gang/ herd ... of IIe Apples!)

     It is fairly common to indicate the plural of a proper name item
(for which the usual addition of an "s", etc. might be incorrectly taken
as part of the name) via an apostrophe.

     For example: "I found several new IIe's for sale" and "There are
too many PRINT's in that line". While, on the other hand, one would
probably say "There were many new model Buicks on the lot".

     Of course, the price for this usage is possible confusion with
indicating possession. Fortunately, it is almost always possible to
easily determine plurality or possession from context. "The IIe's case
was painted red". And, for plural possession, something like "The IIe's'
drives were all cleaned yesterday" is okay if a tad messy (because it
may seem to assert plural drives for each IIe; whereas, some of the
IIe's may have had just one drive attached).

     Probably, most English pedants would prefer something like -->
"IIe"s <-- to indicate several IIe computers. Fine; except that it is
cumbersome. For one thing, "IIe" without quotes-- as in "I bought an
enhanced IIe for just $10"-- becomes improper. If the plural is in
quotes, then the singular should be, as well (at least in the same
article).

     Putting the "IIe" part-- i.e. without the quotes-- in italics (or
some font style different from the main font style used) and adding an
"s" in the main font style is, probably, the best approach when you have
easy access to font style-changing.

     Still, "a flock of IIe computers" is sort of neat.


   
Rubywand