Spelling Rules -- Making Noun Plurals - Page 8

Rule 21: When the hyphenated compound does not contain a noun as one of its elements, simply pluralize the final element. See below. 1. go-between -- go-betweens 2. get-together -- get-togethers 3. hang-up -- hang-ups 4. hand-me-down -- hand-me-downs 5. tie-in -- tie-ins 6. fade-out -- fade-outs 7. come-on -- come-ons 8. show-off -- show-offs 9. run-through -- run-throughs 10. two-by-four -- two-by-fours 11. shoo-in -- shoo-ins 12. has-been -- has-beens 13. have-not -- have-nots 14. know-it-all -- know-it-alls 15. so-and-so -- so-and-sos 16. do-it-yourselfer -- do-it-yourselfers 17. shoot-'em-up -- shoot-'em-ups 18. no-see-um -- no-see-ums

Rule 22: Some compound have two recognized plural forms. The first plural forms shown below is preferred because it adds the plural sign to the chief element of the compound. See below.

1. court-martial -- courts-martial -- court-martials 2. notary-public -- notaries-public -- notary-publics 3. attorney general -- attorneys general -- attorney generals

⇦ Back to Page 7    Return to Clear English Choices    On to Page 9 ⇨