Distinguish a written abbreviation from a shortened word
A written abbreviation normally stands for the full words when read aloud: z. B. is read as zum Beispiel. It is not simply an ordinary noun to which you can freely attach a plural s.
Foto, Info and PC are instead spoken as words or letter sequences themselves. They can function as nouns and develop their own plural patterns. First identify which kind of shortened form you are dealing with.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Fotos.
Fotos is the plural of the shortened word Foto.
Bring etwas zum Schreiben mit, z. B. einen Bleistift.
Z. B. stands for a full expression; no nominal plural is being formed here.
Common plurals ending in -s
For many shortened words, adding s is a usual plural pattern. The long and short versions need not use the same ending: die Fotografien, but die Fotos; die Informationen, but die Infos.
In the table, Info means an item of information and takes die. PCs is a common plural form to learn; the dictionary also records the rare unchanged plural PC.
| Singular | Plural | Note |
|---|---|---|
| der PC | die PCs; rarely also die PC | The -s form is a useful starting point. |
| das Foto | die Fotos | A picture is meant here. |
| die Info | die Infos | An item of information is meant here. |
| der Prof | die Profs | An informal shortening of Professor. |
| der Lkw | die Lkw or die Lkws | Both plural forms are recorded. |
| die U-Bahn | die U-Bahnen | The complete second component forms the plural. |
Lkw or Lkws: a genuine choice
Lkw allows both an unchanged plural and a plural ending in s. An answer key that always accepts only die Lkw and declares die Lkws impossible would therefore be too strict.
Even if you choose one version in your own writing, recognize the other when reading. This choice does not mean that every shortened word freely allows both patterns.
Vor dem Lager warten zwei Lkw.
The numeral zwei and the context identify the plural.
Vor dem Lager warten zwei Lkws.
Here the added -s also makes the plural visible on the shortened word.
Partly shortened compounds retain a complete component
U-Bahn is not solely a sequence of initial letters. U is shortened, while Bahn remains a complete component. Its plural is therefore U-Bahnen.
With an unfamiliar shortened form, check whether the second component is still an ordinary word. Its form can determine the plural. This differs from leaving a sequence of letters unchanged or simply adding s.
Which article belongs to the shortened form?
Gender often follows the full expression or its head. Shortening does not guarantee that the article stays the same, however. In the general usage practised here, die Fotografie becomes das Foto.
For Foto meaning a picture, Swiss usage also records die Foto. This is not simply a grammar error. The table uses das Foto; consult the relevant dictionary label when writing for a particular region.
Learn a new shortened word together with its article and plural. This prevents turning the article of the full expression into an exceptionless rule for every shortened form.
Check the form in a complete sentence
Do not write only PCs as an isolated answer. Try Zwei PCs stehen im Kursraum. This lets you check whether the numeral, article and verb fit the plural.
The s-plurals practised here have no apostrophe: PCs, Fotos and Infos. For an unfamiliar form, the exact dictionary entry is more useful than assuming that anything goes with abbreviations. Check its gender, plural and explicitly recorded variants.
Check your understanding
Try each task before opening the model answer. Open tasks can have other valid answers.
Form the plural in Vor dem Lager warten zwei __. Use Lkw.
Answer and explanation
Vor dem Lager warten zwei Lkw. Also: Vor dem Lager warten zwei Lkws.
Both forms are recorded and possible for this meaning.
Other valid answers: Lkw · Lkws
Write the common plural ending in -s: ein PC, zwei __.
Answer and explanation
zwei PCs
PCs is the common s-form. The recorded rare form PC is not requested because this instruction specifically asks for -s.
Form the plural of the shortened word Foto: ein Foto, drei __.
Answer and explanation
drei Fotos
The plural of Foto is Fotos; Fotografien is the plural of the full word Fotografie.
Info means an item of information. Complete the plural: Ich brauche noch zwei __.
Answer and explanation
Ich brauche noch zwei Infos.
The feminine shortened word Info used here has the plural Infos.
Form the plural: die U-Bahn, die __.
Answer and explanation
die U-Bahnen
The complete component Bahn forms the plural here.
Should you add s to z. B. in „Bring etwas zum Schreiben mit, z. B. einen Bleistift“ because several examples are conceivable?
Answer and explanation
No. Z. B. stands for zum Beispiel here, not for an ordinary plural noun.
Written abbreviations are not mechanically pluralized like the shortened nouns practised here.
For Foto meaning a picture, the table chooses the general neuter form. Add its article: __ Foto.
Answer and explanation
das Foto
The chosen form is neuter. This does not declare the recorded Swiss variant die Foto incorrect.
Write a complete sentence using one of the plurals PCs, Fotos or Infos.
Answer and explanation
For example: Zwei PCs stehen im Kursraum.
The numeral and plural verb fit the plural. Other grammatically suitable sentences are possible.
Other valid answers: Other suitable complete sentences with a plural.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lkws wrong?
No. Both die Lkw and die Lkws are recorded plurals of Lkw. Learn to recognize both.
Is only PCs possible, or also PC?
PCs is a common plural form. Duden also records the rare unchanged plural PC. The chosen form is therefore not the only possible one in every task.
Must a shortened word retain the full expression’s article?
Not without exception. Gender often follows the full expression, but there are differences and regional variants. Learn the article and plural of the particular shortened word.