Bug#419535: E-Mail vs. E-Mails
On Mon, Apr 16, 2007 at 08:37:12AM -0400, Jonathan B. Horen wrote:
> Package: Debian GNU/Linux Installation Guide
> Version: 4.0 for i386
> The heading for section 8.5.2 reads "Sending E-Mails Outside The System".
> This is incorrect English, with regard to e-mail.
No, it is not.
> "e-mail" (whether hyphenated, or not) is both singular *and* plural.
> Thus, I can write "I sent email to John" (meaning one message); or "I sent
> email to John" (meaning two-or-more messages).
No, the plural is "e-mails" (or "emails"). "e-mail" is the singular and is
also a *mass noun*.
> In order to avoid confusion, or the appearance of incorrect usage, we
> recommend that people/publications follow this format:
So? Who are you that we should care about your recommendation, other than
someone with an overly prescriptive and inaccurate standard of English?
--
Steve Langasek Give me a lever long enough and a Free OS
Debian Developer to set it on, and I can move the world.
vorlon@debian.org http://www.debian.org/
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