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Do you use an apostrophe in plural dates?

Do you use an apostrophe in plural dates?

1970's
1970s


Votes: 781 Comments: 10 Added: September 2003
Comments:
Karen Skullerud - 15th October 2003 21:06
According to the current MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, fifth edition, 2.2.7, "Do not use an apostrophe to form the plural abbreviation or a number."
 
Willbut - 2nd November 2003 22:01
I can't see any need to do so either.
 
tdol - 6th November 2003 23:40
There is a case for using it with single letters to breaks them up:

Mind you p's and q's.
However, you could also say:

Mind your Ps and Qs.

;-)
 
Bridget - 7th November 2003 22:44
I believe that this mistake started when people abbreviated the decade. I can see '70s accidentally becoming the dreadful, evil, incorrect apostrophe way in a heart beat! Thank God that our correct side is winning this battle!
 
Willbut - 9th November 2003 21:38
In the UK, the correct side are losing everywhere in the apostrophe war's. <gggg>
 
Joan - 15th November 2003 01:43
Never.
 
Asif - 11th February 2004 21:54
Not sure if the apostrophe should be used, but it looks ok! My English isn't as you can tell; need to improve it in all areas
 
lenny - 5th March 2007 13:29
hi everybody :)
Actualy I'm learning english so (GOOD LUCK FOR MY SELF)
I have question about this vote so I did 1970's it's wrong answer?
 
Boywonder - 18th May 2007 17:54
No apostrophe. In this example, the 1970s is a collection of years (1970, 1971, etc.) and hence “1970s” is plural which does not require an apostrophe.
 
Caleb Talati - 29th May 2007 19:57
In the "Penguin Guide to Punctuation"(1997), I read that the apostrophe is not needed for forming the dates of plurals in British English. However, according to the author, it is needed in American English. I find it easy writing both "1970s" and "1970's".
 
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