Read the following passage:
There were a lot of great TV shows in the 1980's. I remember watching The A-Team, Magnum PI, and MacGyver. It seems that they cannot make good shows like that anymore.
What needs to be changed to make the above correct?
a. change a lot to alot
b. change 1980's to 1980s
c. change The A-Team, Magnum PI, and MacGyver to "The A-Team," "Magnum PI," and "MacGyver"
d. change cannot to can not
Scroll down for the answer.
______________________________
a. is incorrect. "A lot" is two words.
b. is correct. Never use an apostrophe to make a plural.
c. is incorrect. Titles of TV shows are treated like books. They should be underlined or italicized.
d. is incorrect. It gets tricky since a lot is separated, but cannot remains one word.
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Many grammar books in the section on apostrophes teach that numbers or letters can be referred to in the plural form by using an apostrophe. Ex: I make all A's. With my handwriting, you can not tell my 4's from my 9's.
ReplyDeleteGood point. The rule is slackening some lately. I say never, but you are right that there are cases when it applies, such as the sentence: "How many s's are in Mississippi?" If the sentence becomes confusing without the apostrophe, then use it - but do so sparingly if you want to follow the strictest of rules. the 4s and 9s example will work for most people but not a very strict grammar person (like my English 501 college professor).
ReplyDeleteAs far as the EOC goes, they will never give you a plural that needs an apostrophe.
Thanks for the comment!