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(s) VS (ies)

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:21 pm
by Minis
Hi,

I'm having a difficulty to decide whether to use (s) or (ies) when combining singular and plural forms in one word, for the word ending in "y".

E.g. faculty(s) or faculty(ies) ?

I saw both variations are used. I'm not sure which one is correct. :roll:

Thank you in advance!

Re: (s) VS (ies)

Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:42 pm
by Joe
To make plurals with nouns ending in y:

If a noun ends in y: add s

There is a TV play on tonight.
There are three TV plays on tonight.

Exception

If a noun ends in consonant + y: change y to ies

There is one baby in the room.
There are three babies in the room.

See: spelling rules - adding -s

Re: (s) VS (ies)

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:49 pm
by Minis
Thank you for your reply Josef.
I guess I didn't explain my question correctly. It's not about spelling rules for the plurals ending with y, but specifically about the form of writing the 's' ending in parentheses. I'm writing a document for users of the software, and I need to say: "If you need to select facility(s)" - meaning that they can choose one or several. Now the question is, do I put 's' in parentheses or (ies).

Thank you

Re: (s) VS (ies)

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:19 am
by sweethuman
Mr Josef explained it correctly however you couldn't catch it.
Now your question is with faculty so mentioned above as well that the word faculty ends with Consonant + Y so it takes IES. it should be Faculties not facultys. With the second word Facility it should also be Facilities not facilits because it the word ends with Consonant + Y. Hope it is understood clearly now.