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[Trapezohedron]

So, I have a certain weakness with punctuation, so I'll ask you guys what you think about this:

1. There are many USB's on the table.

2. There are many USBs on the table.

Which is more proper, the first one or the second one, and why?

[ShoesandHats]

The second, because the first would imply that it was a possessive noun, which would make no sense in that context, while the second is a plural noun.

[Ogdibus]

.

[Tarran]

I believe the second is right.

As far as I know, USBs = multiple USBs. While USB's = something belonging to a USB.

I'm no expert, though.

[Askot Bokbondeler]

http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/apostrophes_show_plural_of_abbreviations.htm

[Lectorog]

What is more proper is always that which makes the meaning more clear. In this case, USBs is pretty clearly the multiple of USB. USB's is obviously not possessive given the context, but it makes me cringe.

Avoid using the plural apostrophe unless it will make things more clear, and even then see if there's a better way to order the sentence.

[Tellemurius]

What is more proper is always that which makes the meaning more clear. In this case, USBs is pretty clearly the multiple of USB. USB's is obviously not possessive given the context, but it makes me cringe.

Avoid using the plural apostrophe unless it will make things more clear, and even then see if there's a better way to order the sentence.

"Connect the USB cable to the drive"
USB is a special cause since its a acronym, technically it should never be used in a plural form as its only a identifier (USB drive, USB cable, USB port)

[Telgin]

What is more proper is always that which makes the meaning more clear. In this case, USBs is pretty clearly the multiple of USB. USB's is obviously not possessive given the context, but it makes me cringe.

Avoid using the plural apostrophe unless it will make things more clear, and even then see if there's a better way to order the sentence.

While USBs is definitely the correct choice of the two, I'm pretty sure there is never a case in English where you make something plural by adding 's to the end.  It's sort of drifted into acceptable practice for things like decades (say, the 1980's when it really should just be 1980s), but that doesn't make it correct.  At least not until popular usage mandates that the rules be changed anyway.

[scriver]

It's correct because it's a contraction. Just like in "doesn't", "I'm", or any other. It shows that it's not part of the abbreviation but a contraction of the B-word in plural form.

[misko27]

Hehe, I used to put apostophes on eveything. It'd drive my teacher out of her mind.
 
" 's " is considered acceptable if the word is possesive, i.e. "Misko's Explanation". "Miskos explanation" implies there are multiple. The Apostrophe is also accaptable in cases of contraction, i.e. "I don't feel like working". Note the phrase "don't". Any word that is a contraction can and should use this, therefore "dont", "shant", "couldnt", and "hadnt" are all unacceptable.

[Strife26]

Nooooo, you should be using an apostrophe there. It's a plural form of an acronym, so it requires the apostrophe to separate the plural-fying identifier from the USB. It'd be up to context clues to determine if it's USB possessive, USB plural, or USB is, as opposed to USBs which forces the reader to determine between some unknown acronym USBs, and multiple USB.


I think. Maybe, mostly?

[Telgin]

No, again, you never ever make anything plural in English by adding an apostrophe anywhere.

[Trapezohedron]

Noted. Well, as for me, I never use punctuation to mark plural acronyms because it somehow looks awkward.

Don't understand why some people add punctuations to acronyms. AGP's = Accelerated Graphics Port's?

[Machiavelli]

The second is right, technically, because acronyms always require an 's when being possessive, even if they end in S.  I hate it and think it's archaic because of how prevalent acronyms are in our society now, but that's how it is.

[Telgin]

The second is right, technically, because acronyms always require an 's when being possessive, even if they end in S.  I hate it and think it's archaic because of how prevalent acronyms are in our society now, but that's how it is.

Since this was stated with such authority I decided to look it up just to be sure.  Apparently it is acceptable to do this for acronyms because so many people do it, but it is absolutely not required and is still considered an error by some.

I still advocate not adding an apostrphe since I believe apostrophes should only be used for contractions and showing possessiveness.