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E.T.'s

English translation: the panda says NO*

15:02 Feb 16, 2009
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / acronym
English term or phrase: E.T.'s
How should one write, "E.T.s exist"?

I'm wary of using the apostrophe here, but what do you all think?

Nothing in the style guide says one way or the other, and so I'm unsure...

Thanks!
zabrowa
Local time: 20:22
Selected answer:the panda says NO*
Explanation:
no apostrophe, no full stops

ETs

*with reference to the excellent Eats Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2009-02-16 15:14:37 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Always ask yourself why the 's' at the end is there.
Is this a possessive?
Is this an abbreviation?
If the answer is no, then there is no apostrophe.

What style guide are you using?
Try this: http://www.economist.com/research/styleGuide/index.cfm?page=...
Selected response from:

Melzie
Local time: 20:22
Grading comment
Thanks
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +11the panda says NO*
Melzie


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +11
e.t.'s
the panda says NO*


Explanation:
no apostrophe, no full stops

ETs

*with reference to the excellent Eats Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2009-02-16 15:14:37 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Always ask yourself why the 's' at the end is there.
Is this a possessive?
Is this an abbreviation?
If the answer is no, then there is no apostrophe.

What style guide are you using?
Try this: http://www.economist.com/research/styleGuide/index.cfm?page=...

Melzie
Local time: 20:22
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Grading comment
Thanks

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sheila Wilson: ETs UFOs NGOs - they're just plurals - it's got nothing to do with possession
2 mins
  -> Thank you, Sheila.
agree  Kim Metzger: I see absolutely no reason to use periods either. http://www.amazon.com/ETs-Aliens-PH-Noel-Huntley/dp/14010407...
4 mins
  -> Thank you, Kim.
agree  Gunilla Zedigh
13 mins
  -> Thank you, Gunilla.
agree  Dave Calderhead
15 mins
  -> Thank you, Dave.
agree  kmtext
19 mins
  -> Thank you, kmtext.
agree  humbird: I see no possessive here.
1 hr
  -> Thank you, humbird.
agree  cmwilliams (X)
2 hrs
  -> Thank you very much.
agree  Will Matter
2 hrs
  -> Thank you, Will.
agree  William [Bill] Gray: Good, solid, common sense here!
3 hrs
  -> Thank you, Bill.
agree  Jack Doughty
7 hrs
  -> Thank you, Jack.
agree  Phong Le
9 hrs
  -> Thank you, Phong le.
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