If an object has a proper name, does that name follow similar conventions as a normal word? For instance, the Ford Focus. If I own two of these vehicles, would I own two Ford Focuses, or two Foci?
If an object has a proper name, does that name follow similar conventions as a normal word? For instance, the Ford Focus. If I own two of these vehicles, would I own two Ford Focuses, or two Foci?
The former is correct, but I would probably say, "I own two Fords Focus," because I am an fool like that.
It would just be "I own two Honda Civics." Seriously, who in their right mind would go for two Fords?
But as far as the grammar, I think you're okay saying two Focuses but you could leave the es off the end and simply say two Ford Focus because it already ends in an s.
English minor wrote:
The former is correct, but I would probably say, "I own two Fords Focus," because I am an fool like that.
You're making the assumption that Ford is the noun, and Focus the adjective. I believe it is the other way around, so Ford Focuses is correct. If you referred to them as two Ford Foci, people would look at you like you had something wrong with you, or were just a pompous jerk.
You could also say that you own two Ford Focus cars, automobiles, sedans, etc.
You don't have to pluralize that word, especially since it is awkward to do so. Make it an adjective and pass the plulral to the noun it modifies.
Some grammarians here will take issue with this as avoiding the question, but the overall goal is effective communication. The Ford company's use of a word that could be a noun or a verb, that also has an odd plural in context, is the root problem. The best rememdy is a stylistic one, not just the grammatically correct plural for the model name they chose.
OldXCguy wrote:
You're making the assumption that Ford is the noun, and Focus the adjective. I believe it is the other way around, so Ford Focuses is correct. If you referred to them as two Ford Foci, people would look at you like you had something wrong with you, or were just a pompous jerk.
The former option, which I said was correct, was "I own two Ford Focuses." The "Fords Focus" bit is obviously incorrect and was only a joke. The "an fool" portion, however, was inexcusable (I had originally used the word "idiot" and forgot to change the article when I changed it to "fool").
Do not EVER say you own two ford foci