Plurals

Don't use a solidus or a parenthetical (s) to cover two options. It's better to write out the choice, choose one option yourself, or rewrite the sentence to avoid the problem.

If you know who the owner is, give it back to him or her. (not him/her)


Send me __________ tickets. (not ticket[s] or ticket/s)
          xxx(quantity)


Some students still haven't declared a major by their junior year.


not: 
Not every student has decided what s/he wants to major in by his/her junior year.

Here are some words whose singular or plural forms can be troublesome:

Collective Nouns
When using the following nouns, be aware of whether you're referring to the word as a single unit (singular) or as individual items (plural).

The group recommends passing the buck.


The committee meets every Thursday.


Three inches is the recommended margin.


Sixteen dollars and four cents is the total.


but: 
The group members argue among themselves.


The committee members express differing views.


Inches are shorter than feet.


Sixteen dollar bills and four pennies are in the jar.

Percent and Percentage
Percent is singular if used alone or if a singular word is the object of of. Percent is plural if a plural word is the object of of. Percentage is always singular.

Exactly 80 percent is required.


Nearly 80 percent of the money was spent.


More than 40 percent of the courses are at the graduate level.


A percentage of the profits is all I want.

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