So, if I have more than one GPS...

Katrina S. Forest · Dec 6, 2011

Is it GPS's? That looks like something belongs to a GPS. GPSs just looks weird. How do I write the plural of this thing without butchering English grammar (which has already butchered my sanity)?

Edit: Might've found a way to work around using the plural, but inquiring minds would still love to know.

FictionQuest · Dec 6, 2011

You could cheat and say GPS Receivers or GPS Units.

Katrina S. Forest · Dec 6, 2011

Wow... that I could. Thank you very much. This is what happens when I've been looking at the same sentence for way too long. I'm going to go take a break. ^_^;;

IceCreamEmpress · Dec 6, 2011

I write "GPSes" but that's me.

Snick · Dec 6, 2011

Katrina S. Forest said:
Is it GPS's? That looks like something belongs to a GPS.

You may not like the way that looks, but it is correct; but I think that using "GPS units" is better.

Torgo · Dec 6, 2011

Snick said:
You may not like the way that looks, but it is correct; but I think that using "GPS units" is better.

GPS's? What is the apostrophe doing?

IceCreamEmpress · Dec 6, 2011

Per the Chicago Manual of Style, "GPSes" is correct. In CMOS style, the only time you use an apostrophe is with the actual names of the letters.

The initialism AAA has three a's in it. Of course, there are a lot of AAAs in the world, but the best known may be the American Automobile Association.

Other style guides may have different usages.

LynnKHollander · Dec 6, 2011

The S is an initial ~~Global Positioning System, and I think there is only one of those. The plural must refer to a receiver/unit.

ironmikezero · Dec 7, 2011

LynnKHollander said:
The S is an initial ~~Global Positioning System, and I think there is only one of those. The plural must refer to a receiver/unit.

+ 1 Yes, this...

Kenn · Dec 7, 2011

LynnKHollander said:
The S is an initial ~~Global Positioning System, and I think there is only one of those. The plural must refer to a receiver/unit.

This is true because GPS is the name for a specific satellite system. There are other similar systems, but they're called something else.

absitinvidia · Dec 7, 2011

IceCreamEmpress said:
Per the Chicago Manual of Style, "GPSes" is correct. In CMOS style, the only time you use an apostrophe is with the actual names of the letters.

The initialism AAA has three a's in it. Of course, there are a lot of AAAs in the world, but the best known may be the American Automobile Association.

Other style guides may have different usages.

Previously CMOS specified an apostrophe for an abbreviation with at least two internal full stops:

PhDs but Ph.D.'s

But this has been removed from the 16th edition.

Allen R. Brady · Dec 7, 2011

Call them SatNavs and avoid the problem.

bonitakale · Dec 8, 2011

LynnKHollander said:
The S is an initial ~~Global Positioning System, and I think there is only one of those. The plural must refer to a receiver/unit.

But people don't say that in dialogue; they say, "Most of my friends have GPSes."

When I was in high school, the Student Activity Tickets were universally called SAT Cards. Speech isn't always logical.

Xelebes · Dec 8, 2011

Depending on location (Canada), GPSs is also correct if there were more than one GPS. Though it is only units or devices that there are many of.

books2thesky · Dec 9, 2011

I would definitely say it (and spell it) GPSes. Maybe this isn't grammatically correct in the strictest sense, but in dialogue or in narration that's not supposed to have a particularly formal or technical tone, I think it should be fine.

So, if I have more than one GPS...

Katrina S. Forest

FictionQuest

Small Press

Katrina S. Forest

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

Snick

Torgo

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

LynnKHollander

This space intentionally left blank

ironmikezero

practical experience, FTW

Kenn

New kid, be gentle!

absitinvidia

A bit of a wallflower

Allen R. Brady

bonitakale

Xelebes

Delerium ex Ennui

books2thesky