Plurals of single letters

Last Updated : Jul 17, 2012 |

To form the plural of a single letter, add a lowercase s. Add a lowercase s with an apostrophe only if you form a word when you add the s without the apostrophe. For example, if you form the plural of the letter I or the letter A without an apostrophe, you create the words Is or As. Note, however, that even with the apostrophe, usage such as I’s can confuse the reader. When possible, rewrite the sentence to eliminate the need to use a plural single letter.

Preferred

Discouraged

  • The I’s in the first column indicate an incomplete transaction.

  • Better: The letter I in the first column indicates an incomplete transaction.

The Is in the first column indicate an incomplete transaction.

  • The system displays rows of Xs while the software completes this process.

  • Better: The system displays the letter X repeatedly until the software completes this process.

The system displays rows of X’s while the software completes this process.