ATM = automatic teller machine
那ATM的復(fù)數(shù)該怎么表示承绸？考慮一下下面三個句子：
There are many ATMs in this city.
There are many ATM's in this city.
There are many ATM in this city.
相信多數(shù)人會第一個排除2號闷祥，因為英語課上講過，'s表示的是所屬關(guān)系。然后選1號的理由是弯蚜，復(fù)數(shù)應(yīng)該加s。選3號的人中剃法，有些沒有想過縮寫的單復(fù)數(shù)還有區(qū)別碎捺，有些認(rèn)為在表示復(fù)數(shù)的ATM時，M代表machines贷洲，所以收厨，ATM也可以表示復(fù)數(shù)。
針對這些問題优构，筆者做了一些簡單的搜索诵叁。盡管存在一些爭議，但是主流的意見中都是排除3號钦椭。原因是這種方式存在表意不清拧额。使用縮寫的原則是：read the sentence as though the abbreviation were written out fully。 尤其是對于嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)?shù)目萍紝懽鞅肭唬粦?yīng)該出現(xiàn)單復(fù)數(shù)意義不明確的現(xiàn)象侥锦。
支持1號，即不加撇 s 的主要有：
Chicago Manual of Style
Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th Edition 2009, subsection 3.2.7.g
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 5th Edition 2001, subsection 3.28
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition 2010, subsection 4.29
支持2號德挣，即加撇 s 的主要有：
Turabian, K., A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th Edition, subsection 20.1.2
筆者傾向于1號恭垦，縮寫的復(fù)數(shù)只加s。但是存在如下特例：
小寫的英文單位格嗅，復(fù)數(shù)不加s番挺。例如 30 min。
縮寫為小寫的單個字母屯掖，需要加's玄柏。例如The x's of the equation。除非這個小寫的字母為斜體或者有引號懂扼。The xs of the equation禁荸。The 'x's of the equation右蒲。
在使用英文縮寫的時候阀湿，還存在下列現(xiàn)象。
1 第一次出現(xiàn)的是英文表達(dá)的復(fù)數(shù)形式瑰妄。
Dendritic cells (DCs) are important antigen-presenting cells. Each DC is loaded with MHC class II molecules that allow it to display antigens to other immune cells such as T-cells.
第一次定義縮寫的時候就是復(fù)數(shù)形式陷嘴，即末尾加s。后面用到單數(shù)形式的時候不加s间坐。
2 英文短語單復(fù)數(shù)形式完全一樣灾挨，或者不區(qū)分單復(fù)數(shù)邑退。
The hydroxyl radical, a potent reactive oxygen species (ROS), reacts quickly with other molecules to achieve a stable electron configuration. Various ROS are produced during normal cellular activities
species不區(qū)分單復(fù)數(shù)，因此ROS可以是單數(shù)也可以是復(fù)數(shù)劳澄。
3 英文短語的復(fù)數(shù)形式不是在最后一個單詞末尾加s地技。例如 suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)，‘nucleus’ 的復(fù)數(shù)形式是‘nuclei’秒拔。當(dāng)表達(dá)復(fù)數(shù)意義的suprachiasmatic nuclei時莫矗，依然僅僅在縮寫末尾加s，即SCNs砂缩。
The SCN is comprised of a network of thousands of heterogeneous neurons.
We analyzed multi-unit neural activity of the SCNs of 15 adult C57BL6 mice.
鏈接：
What is the correct way to pluralize an acronym?
Editing Tip: Singular and Plural Abbreviations | AJE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbreviation#cite_ref-MLA_14-0
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