What's the plural form of Game Boy Advance
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What's the plural form of Game Boy Advance
This thread is inspired by an article from the Onion from a while back about the plural form of the Whopper Junior.
So how do you pluralize the GBA? Obviously, the main noun here is "Boy" which, since the original GB, is modified by the adjective "Game." For the GBA, the "Advance" modifier is tacked on the end.
Most people will say "Game Boy Advances," but since "Advance" is just another modifier, I don't think it should get the "s." It would be more accurate to say "Game Boys Advance," since "Boy" is the noun.
P.S. Next time you go to Burger King, order X number of "Whoppers Junior" and see how the cashier looks at you.
So how do you pluralize the GBA? Obviously, the main noun here is "Boy" which, since the original GB, is modified by the adjective "Game." For the GBA, the "Advance" modifier is tacked on the end.
Most people will say "Game Boy Advances," but since "Advance" is just another modifier, I don't think it should get the "s." It would be more accurate to say "Game Boys Advance," since "Boy" is the noun.
P.S. Next time you go to Burger King, order X number of "Whoppers Junior" and see how the cashier looks at you.
#2
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i think game boys advance is correct.
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Sorry, I believe you are all incorrect. It would be Game Boy Advance handheld gaming systems or something of that nature. When using trademarks, the proper usage is as a modifier.
The classic example:
Wrong: Can you hand me some Kleenex?
Correct: Can you hand me some Kleenex tissues?
Wrong: Can you hand me a Kleenex?
Correct: Can you hand me a Kleenex tissue?
The classic example:
Wrong: Can you hand me some Kleenex?
Correct: Can you hand me some Kleenex tissues?
Wrong: Can you hand me a Kleenex?
Correct: Can you hand me a Kleenex tissue?
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When a proper noun has more than one word the plural goes on the end of the second word, no additional descriptor should be necessary.
Example:
How many John Smiths are there in the phone book?
Not:
How many John Smith humans are there in the phone book?
Not:
How many Johns Smith are there in the phone book?
Not:
How many John Smith's are there in the phone book?
Example:
How many John Smiths are there in the phone book?
Not:
How many John Smith humans are there in the phone book?
Not:
How many Johns Smith are there in the phone book?
Not:
How many John Smith's are there in the phone book?
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Gameboy Advances sounds funny; 'advances' sounds like a verb. But if we take the entire phrase as the noun then that is the correct grammer. I wrote Gameboys advance because I took 'Advance' to be the modifier. I would prefer, simply, Gameboy Advance Systems.
I guess it sounds better with the new incarnation: Gameboy Advance SPs (or Gameboy Advance SP's, however you like to take your pluralization of abbreviations).
I guess it sounds better with the new incarnation: Gameboy Advance SPs (or Gameboy Advance SP's, however you like to take your pluralization of abbreviations).
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Originally posted by diacritic
Gameboy Advances sounds funny; 'advances' sounds like a verb. But if we take the entire phrase as the noun then that is the correct grammer. I wrote Gameboys advance because I took 'Advance' to be the modifier. I would prefer, simply, Gameboy Advance Systems.
I guess it sounds better with the new incarnation: Gameboy Advance SPs (or Gameboy Advance SP's, however you like to take your pluralization of abbreviations).
Gameboy Advances sounds funny; 'advances' sounds like a verb. But if we take the entire phrase as the noun then that is the correct grammer. I wrote Gameboys advance because I took 'Advance' to be the modifier. I would prefer, simply, Gameboy Advance Systems.
I guess it sounds better with the new incarnation: Gameboy Advance SPs (or Gameboy Advance SP's, however you like to take your pluralization of abbreviations).
I also agree that the official plural usage probably involves "systems" tacked onto the end. Like for the original NES, you wouldn't have two "Nintendos," but you'd have two "Nintendo Entertainment Systems."
Last edited by sdcrym; 02-09-03 at 08:21 PM.