[millerdog]

I'll go stand in the corner now.
md

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Quote:

Originally posted by KR... That settles that

Um, no, where did Bob mention anything about numbers? YOU IDIOT!!!

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Quote:

I seem to remember, amazing isn't it, that we went through all this not too long ago.

Here are the original threads:
http://head-fi.com/forums/showthread...&threadid=8014
http://head-fi.com/forums/showthread...&threadid=8094

Note the witty title

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Shouldn't that be: Quote: Actually, in this type of forum I don't care if you do, or do not use the correct punctuation.

Nope

You should either have another comma after or do not, or remove the comma before that phrase. There is also the option to put a comma after forum.

 

[KR...]

 

[RMSzero]

According to "A Writer's Reference" by Diane Hacker: Quote:

Use an apostrophe and -s to pluralize numbers mentioned as numbers, letters mentioned as letters, words mentioned as words, and abbreviations: Examples: Peggy skated nearly perfect figure 8's. The bleachers in our section were marked with large red J's. We've had enough maybe's. You must ask to see their I.D.'s. Notice that the -s is not italicized when used with an italicized number, letter, or word. EXCEPTION: An -s alone is often added to the years in a decade: the 1980s

However, I know that the Associated Press stylebook, which I go by for my job at the college newspaper, says that no appostrophe is necessary for initials or numbers -- and that's what I use. I think that it makes more sense because the headphones can be possessive as well, although I've seen people around here asking about the difference between the HD600 and the HD600s or something so maybe the apostrophe helps.

I'm usually just too lazy.

 

[secretagent44]

I agree, the apostrophe should only be used if it would be confusing otherwise. The same rule often holds true with commas. The reason I would use them when referring to headphones is to avoid the confusion that RMSzero mentions. Whether it should be plural at all is a different question. I assume HD600's to be short for Sennheiser HD600 model headphones. I think there are enough guides and sources to allow for either way of punctuating. I just think that the apostrophe makes it 'cleaner'.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by secretagent44 The reason I would use them when referring to headphones is to avoid the confusion that RMSzero mentions.

That points to naming deficiency by the manufacturer

Any manufacturer who uses a lower case "s" at the end of an alphanumeric model name lacks foresight.

Quote:

Whether it should be plural at all is a different question. I assume HD600's to be short for Sennheiser HD600 model headphones.

While people have different personal views of this, IMO the most logical usage would be:

HD 600s: multiple pairs of HD 600 -- if you use the "s" for a single pair, then you run into confusion over how to differentiate plurality. ("I own two HD 600s.")

HD 600's: used only for possessives. ("The HD 600's bales are made of carbon fiber.")

HD 600: a single pair of the HD 600; considered a plural noun ("The HD 600 are usually considered to be very comfortable headphones.")


P.S. Some people think we're all being anal here --- then go find another thread to read

For those of us who actually write for a living, especially technical writing, this is a fascinating topic.

 

[KR...]

I just thought that the comic was funny

I didn't mean to start this

 

[kerelybonto]

Haha, grammar is fun, kids!

kerelybonto