LawProse Lesson #202: Parenthetical plurals.

LawProse Lesson #202: Parenthetical plurals.

Should you use “(s)” to indicate that a noun could be either singular or plural? Competent drafters should avoid creating parenthetical plurals and craft better ways to express a thought. A parenthetical plural is formed when an “(s)” is added to the end of a singular noun to indicate that the statement may apply to one or more members of the category. The practice creates serious drafting problems. Does the noun take a singular or plural verb? If a pronoun refers to the parenthetical plural, should it be singular or plural? And what about nouns that don’t take a simple –s in the plural form (e.g., party)? Using “(s)” as a shortcut produces ungainly, unsightly sentences. For example: If the defendant(s) fail(s) to comply with the court’s order, the defendant(s) will be held in contempt of court. [One possible revision: If a defendant fails to comply with the court’s order, that defendant will be held in contempt of court.] When drafting contracts or statutes, prefer the singular over the plural unless the sense is undeniably plural (as when the sentence refers to a practice that is often repeated). Check every plural noun and make sure that it’s really necessary. You’ll enhance the clarity and readability of your documents. Further reading: Garner’s Dictionary of Legal Usage 685 (3d ed. 2011). Garner, Legal Writing in Plain English 135 (2d ed. 2013).

Live seminars this year with Professor Bryan A. Garner: Advanced Legal Writing & Editing

Attend the most popular CLE seminar of all time. More than 215,000 people—including lawyers, judges, law clerks, and paralegals—have benefited since the early 1990s. You'll learn the keys to professional writing and acquire no-nonsense techniques to make your letters, memos, and briefs more powerful.

You'll also learn what doesn't work and why—know-how gathered through Professor Garner's unique experience in training lawyers at the country's top law firms, state and federal courts, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies.

Professor Garner gives you the keys to make the most of your writing aptitude—in letters, memos, briefs, and more. The seminar covers five essential skills for persuasive writing:

  • framing issues that arrest the readers' attention;
  • cutting wordiness that wastes readers' time;
  • using transitions deftly to make your argument flow;
  • quoting authority more effectively; and
  • tackling your writing projects more efficiently.

He teaches dozens of techniques that make a big difference. Most important, he shows you what doesn't work—and why—and how to cultivate skillfulness.

Register to reserve your spot today.

Have you wanted to bring Professor Garner to teach your group? Contact us at info@lawprose.org for more information about in-house seminars.

Scroll to Top