Abbreviations.
Brenda Gregoline
in AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors (11th ed.)
For most all-capital abbreviations, the plural is formed by adding a lowercase s. Do not use an apostrophe before the s (see 8.7.5, Using Apostrophes to Form Plurals). Note: When plural all-capital abbreviations are found in an all-capital setting, such as a heading, the plural ...Collective Nouns.
Brenda Gregoline
in AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors (11th ed.)
A collective noun denotes a group of individuals regarded as a unit. Collective nouns may take either singular or plural verbs, depending on whether the word refers to the group as a unit or to its members as individuals. In American English, most nouns naming a group regarded as a unit are treated as singular (...False Singulars.
Brenda Gregoline
in AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors (11th ed.)
Some nouns, because they end in a “plural” form, are mistaken for plurals, even though they should be treated as singular and take a singular verb. Measles is a deadly disease. Mathematics has always been her passion. Genetics is a rapidly changing field of study....How Plurals Are Formed.
Brenda Gregoline
in AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors (11th ed.)
The plurals of most nouns are formed by adding s or es (Table 9.1-1). However, English is irregular enough that many exceptions exist (Table 9.1-2). Previous | NextLatin and Greek vs English.
Brenda Gregoline
in AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors (11th ed.)
There is a trend toward using English plurals rather than Latin or Greek, particularly for more common words (Table 9.4-1). However, in most cases the latest edition of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary or Dorland’s or Stedman’s medical dictionary should be followed. Consistency within a manuscript is key....Microorganisms.
Brenda Gregoline
in AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors (11th ed.)
When referring to the common vernacular plural of a genus, use roman lowercase letters (Table 9.5-1). For organisms that do not have a common plural, add the word species or organisms to the genus name to indicate a plural use (see 14.14...Parenthetical Plurals.
Brenda Gregoline
in AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors (11th ed.)
When s or es is added parenthetically to a word to express the possibility of a plural, the verb should be singular. However, in most instances it is preferable to avoid this construction and use the plural noun instead (see 7.5.4, Parenthetical Plurals). Acceptable:...Plurals
Brenda Gregoline
in AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors (11th ed.)
The Plurals chapter of the 11th edition of the AMA Manual of Style describes how plurals are formed, parenthetical plurals, when not to use plurals, and plurals of symbols, letters, ...
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