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MUSCOVITE Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
once again about the abbreviated forms of "minutes" and "hours"
Hi,
(1) Is it true that the abbreviation "min" can be used to designate both "minute" and "minutes"? e.g. "1 min" and "5 min" (but never 5 mins)?
(2) If the above is true and generally accepted, then we (for mere consistency :-) must use "hr" both in "1 hr" and "10 hr" (not "10 hrs"?). In practice however we can see "10 hrs" much more often than "10 hr". Do you agree?
(3) Are there some "circulars"/"standards"/"specifications" (or something) where the right abbreviated forms are clearly stated??
Thank you!
mus-te
(1) Is it true that the abbreviation "min" can be used to designate both "minute" and "minutes"? e.g. "1 min" and "5 min" (but never 5 mins)?
(2) If the above is true and generally accepted, then we (for mere consistency :-) must use "hr" both in "1 hr" and "10 hr" (not "10 hrs"?). In practice however we can see "10 hrs" much more often than "10 hr". Do you agree?
(3) Are there some "circulars"/"standards"/"specifications" (or something) where the right abbreviated forms are clearly stated??
Thank you!
mus-te
Top answer
No; "mins" is often used. I normally use singular and plural forms of those abbreviations: "1 min", "5 mins", "1 hr", "5 hrs". It's probably considered not wrong to use singular forms of abbreviations with numbers that imply a plural form.
- No; "mins" is often used.
- I normally use singular and plural forms of those abbreviations: "1 min", "5 mins", "1 hr", "5 hrs".
- It's probably considered not wrong to use singular forms of abbreviations with numbers that imply a plural form.
- When a time is used as an adjective, a singular form is used even when the number implies plural.
- For example, a five minute timer or the two minute mark .
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4 Answers
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No; "mins" is often used. I normally use singular and plural forms of those abbreviations: "1 min", "5 mins", "1 hr", "5 hrs".
It's probably considered not wrong to use singular forms of abbreviations with numbers that imply a plural form.
When a time is used as an adjective, a singular form is used even when the number implies plural. For example, a five minute
It's probably considered not wrong to use singular forms of abbreviations with numbers that imply a plural form.
When a time is used as an adjective, a singular form is used even when the number implies plural. For example, a five minute
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KrisBlueNZ:
Thank you for the interesting comments!
(A)
Thank you for the interesting comments!
(A)
KrisBlueNZIt's p
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Re all the hits on min vs. none on mins, are you sure these refer to minutes? Some of them could be abbreviations for minimum.
I guess this is very much a style issue. My style is to use mins as an abbreviation for minutes. I guess I haven't really noticed what is more common; this is probably because the meaning is clear either way.
It used to be common to i
I guess this is very much a style issue. My style is to use mins as an abbreviation for minutes. I guess I haven't really noticed what is more common; this is probably because the meaning is clear either way.
It used to be common to i
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KrisBlueNZI'm certainly no expert on this subjectPeople who claim they are experts on a certain subject are often ... wrong :-)
KrisBlueNZand I was in two minds about whether to reply at all.I am glad you did reply ... being friendly and ready to help means much more than just "being an expert"
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