Ds or D's or "D"s or...???

The Mindful Writer · Aug 16, 2009

Let's say I want to describe what a mess my handwriting is and I write in my manuscript the following sentence:

"My Ds look like Os."

Do I need an apostrophe? Is there a better way to write that? :Shrug:

Please advise!

thanks!

Chase · Aug 16, 2009

I have no trouble reading "My Ds look like Os."

However, even major slick magazines that never print the possibly confusing "in the 1960's" and always print "in the 1960s," still use apostrophes for Oakland A's and p's and q's.

A suggested rewrite: "My printed D looks like an O."

alleycat · Aug 16, 2009

The rule I remember is no apostrophe except for plural lowercase letters.

The Chicago Manual probably has something in it about this, or the AP Stylebook.

The Mindful Writer · Aug 16, 2009

Thank you both! I think we're all on the same page here which is good. Alleycat, your rule is consistent with my online research, and Chase, your point about pubs using apostrophes for ease of reading (and avoiding some expressions altogether) is also in keeping with what I've found.

I don't have any style guides on me right now but will double check when I get my hands on one. As this is a line in a children's picture book "My Ds look like Os" is more in keeping with the style of language I'm using, but Chase your suggested rewrite is a great one.

thanks again!

veronie · Aug 16, 2009

AP Stylebook:

Plurals of a single letter: Mind your p's and q's. He learned the three R's and brought home a report card with four A's and two B's. The Oakland A's won the pennant.

The Mindful Writer · Aug 17, 2009

Thanks for the verification, Veronie!

blacbird · Aug 17, 2009

veronie said:
The Oakland A's won the pennant.

Not recently. But they do have A's on their hats.

caw

Wayne K · Aug 17, 2009

blacbird said:
Not recently. But they do have A's on their hats.

caw

They do?

Wayne K · Aug 17, 2009

I'd give them a D for effort.

Wayne K · Aug 17, 2009

The Mindful Writer would give them an O.

Ds or D's or "D"s or...???

The Mindful Writer

Chase

It Takes All of Us to End Racism

alleycat

Still around

The Mindful Writer

veronie

practical experience, FTW

The Mindful Writer

blacbird

Wayne K

Wayne K

Wayne K