numbers: plurals

The usual way to form the plurals of numerals is to add an s:

• the 1960s
• five 55s
• The bonds are 4½s.
• Korolev scored 9.85s on the floor and pommel horse exercises.

In cases where this might cause misreading, add an apostrophe and s, or italicize the numerals:

• Her performance earned her three 5.8’s.
• His 5’s look like 6’s.
• His 5s look like 6s.

Whichever practice you adopt, use it consistently in any one document.

Do not pluralize SI/metric symbols:

• 5 kg (not 5 kgs)

© Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada, 2024
TERMIUM Plus^®, la banque de données terminologiques et linguistiques du gouvernement du Canada
Outils d'aide à la rédaction – Writing Tips
Un produit du Bureau de la traduction