as the Point B’s

[KLPNO]

Hello everyone,

Charles Snyder writes in his book Psychology of Hope.

"Just as our ancestors did, today we think about getting from where we are now, let’s call it Point A, to where we want to go, say Point B. In this context, Point B stands for any of the many goals we may envision ourselves wanting to pursue. In aiming at goals, we are constantly engaging in mental target practice."

Further, the author writes:

"Goals are any objects, experiences, or outcomes that we imagine and desire in our minds. Thus, a goal is something we want to obtain (such as an object) or attain (like an accomplishment). Earlier, I described these as the Point B’s appearing as mental targets for our thoughts. They may vary from the exceedingly concrete, such as the desire for a new coat, to the truly vague, such as the search for happiness or meaning in life."

Am I correct in thinking that the apostrophe here indicates the plural form of Point B?

And if this is the case, is it also possible to form plural by simply adding s to Point (Points B) or to Point B (Point Bs) without an apostrophe?

 

[Rover_KE]

Am I correct in thinking that the apostrophe here indicates the plural form of Point B?

Yes, you are, but like many other people interested in punctuation, I consider the use of the apostrophe in this context to be wrong.

The book was first published in 1994, when this use of the apostrophe was common.

 

[jutfrank]

It's not clear to me what the word the is doing there.

is it also possible to form plural by simply adding s to Point (Points B)

No.

or to Point B (Point Bs) without an apostrophe?

Yes.

 

[KLPNO]

It's not clear to me what the word the is doing there.

Well, I've put "the Point B’s appearing as" in the Google books search box and in the Google book version it is the same way as in the copy I have. Is the "the" simply unnecessary in that phrase or is it plain wrong?

 

[SoothingDave]

He talked about Point Bs earlier, so he refers to them now with the definite article. It seems fine to me.

 

[jutfrank]

Is the "the" simply unnecessary in that phrase or is it plain wrong?

It's hard to believe that it's unnecessary or wrong. It's just that it doesn't make clear sense without seeing previous context.