How to Pluralize Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Initialisms

Reviewed by Annaliese Dunne

Last Updated: November 28, 2023

An acronym is an abbreviation used as a word, such as the words laser, radar, and DVD. Acronyms are generally formed from the first letters of a longer phrase. For example, CD is easier to say than compact disc. The utilization of acronyms as plurals is not always understood or implemented consistently by writers. Let's try to clarify how to pluralize these abbreviations.

Steps

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1
Look at the conditions of the abbreviation.
- Does it have more than a single letter?
- Does it have periods between the letters?
- Does it have all capital letters?
2
If the abbreviation is a single letter, pluralize it by adding an apostrophe and "s".
- EXAMPLE: You must receive all A's or B's to pass this course.
- EXAMPLE: Egg is spelled with two g's.
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3
If the abbreviation has periods between the letters, pluralize it by adding an apostrophe and "s".
- EXAMPLE: We hired three C.P.A.'s for our office.
- EXAMPLE: She earned two Ph.D.'s from Purdue University.
4
If an abbreviation which is longer than a single letter does not have periods between the letters, pluralize it by adding "s".
- EXAMPLE: Return the CDs that you borrowed.
- EXAMPLE: Jay owns five GTOs.
- EXAMPLE: Upload the GIFs to my Dropbox.
5
Don't be confused by all capital letters, lower case letters or medial capitals. Do not add an apostrophe before the "s".
- EXAMPLE: We have Netflix on both TVs.
- EXAMPLE: Don't point lasers at people.
- EXAMPLE: Who ate my M&Ms?

Community Q&A

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Question

Would I write FoIs or FoI's in the sentence "We received several FoIs today"?

Community Answer

An apostrophe never works as a plural; it's always a contraction. Therefore, your sentence is correct.

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