ATM = automatic teller machine那ATM的复数该怎么表示？考虑一下下面三个句子：There are many ATMs in this city. There are many ATM's in this city. There are many ATM in this city. 相信多数人会第一个排除2号，因为英语课上讲过，'s表示的是所属关系。然后选1号的理由是，复数应该加s。选3号的人中，有些没有想过缩写的单复数还有区别，有些认为在表示复数的ATM时，M代表machines，所以，ATM也可以表示复数。针对这些问题，笔者做了一些简单的搜索。尽管存在一些争议，但是主流的意见中都是排除3号。原因是这种方式存在表意不清。使用缩写的原则是：read the sentence as though the abbreviation were written out fully。 尤其是对于严谨的科技写作，不应该出现单复数意义不明确的现象。支持1号，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号，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 笔者倾向于1号，缩写的复数只加s。但是存在如下特例：小写的英文单位，复数不加s。例如 30 min。 缩写为小写的单个字母，需要加's。例如The x's of the equation。除非这个小写的字母为斜体或者有引号。The xs of the equation。The 'x's of the equation。 在使用英文缩写的时候，还存在下列现象。1 第一次出现的是英文表达的复数形式。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.第一次定义缩写的时候就是复数形式，即末尾加s。后面用到单数形式的时候不加s。2 英文短语单复数形式完全一样，或者不区分单复数。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 activitiesspecies不区分单复数，因此ROS可以是单数也可以是复数。3 英文短语的复数形式不是在最后一个单词末尾加s。例如 suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)，‘nucleus’ 的复数形式是‘nuclei’。当表达复数意义的suprachiasmatic nuclei时，依然仅仅在缩写末尾加s，即SCNs。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.链接：What is the correct way to pluralize an acronym?Editing Tip: Singular and Plural Abbreviations | AJE发布于 3 月前著作权归作者所有
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