Page:U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual 2008.djvu/103

Spelling

In forming the plurals of compound terms, the significant word takes the plural form.


 * Significant word first:
 * adjutants general
 * aides-de-camp
 * ambassadors at large
 * attorneys at law
 * attorneys general
 * billets-doux
 * bills of fare
 * brothers-in-law
 * charges d'affaires
 * chiefs of staff
 * commanders in chief
 * comptrollers general
 * consuls general
 * courts-martial
 * crepes suzette
 * daughters-in-law
 * governors general
 * grants-in-aid
 * heirs at law
 * inspectors general
 * men-of-war
 * ministers-designate
 * mothers-in-law
 * notaries public
 * pilots-in-command
 * postmasters general
 * presidents-elect
 * prisoners of war
 * reductions in force
 * rights-of-way
 * secretaries general
 * sergeants at arms
 * sergeants major
 * solicitors general
 * surgeons general


 * Significant word in middle:
 * assistant attorneys general
 * assistant chiefs of staff
 * assistant comptrollers general
 * assistant surgeons general


 * Significant word last:
 * assistant attorneys
 * assistant commissioners
 * assistant corporation counsels
 * assistant directors
 * assistant general counsels
 * brigadier generals
 * deputy judges
 * deputy sheriffs
 * general counsels
 * judge advocates
 * judge advocate generals
 * lieutenant colonels
 * major generals
 * provost marshals
 * provost marshal generals
 * quartermaster generals