Correct way to abbreviate

[scrumpy78]

i'm typing up a menu and i want to indicate vegetarian option without actually putting in the whole word in brackets. Is it best to put (veg) or (v) or nothing in brackets. Also should there be a full stop as in (veg.)? What is the correct english

[homerbart]

(veg.)

[THECORBYLOON]

If it were me, I would explain that "(V) after an option means suitable for vegitarians" and leave it at that.

[squiffycat]

The correct english is to indicate at the bottom of the menu Vegetarians Options = (V), and then mark the vegetarian dish with a (V) preferebly in green too.

From a professional typist and vegetarian ha!!!!

[THECORBYLOON]

Should the correct English not be "Vegitarians' options...?"

[factor-fiction]

No corbyloon- because you have wrong spelling for vegetarian and because there is no need for an apostrophe...but if in doubt just use the singular 'vegetarian option'- that doesn't need an apostrophe as it's an option for a vegetarian rather than an option belonging to a vegetarian. (Just like for Disabled Toilet we don't use an apostrophe .) And if the singular doesn't need an apostrophe why should the plural.

[jno]

or indeed the option itself is vegetarian rather than the person eating it.

[THECORBYLOON]

Hands up to the spelling mistake but I disagree about the apostrophe, You can use the word "vegetarian" as a noun or an adjective but the same can not be said of the word "disabled." One vegetarian, two vegetarians but not one disabled, two disableds.

A vegetarian option can be an option that is vegetarian or it can be an option available to a person who is (a) vegetarian. The phrase "vegetarians options" must mean "options of, or available to one or possibly more vegetarians" and requires an apostrophe.

[factor-fiction]

Hi TheCorbyloon,

Yes I accept my justification for non-use of apostrophe was a bit weak - I should know by now never to send emails or post on Answerbank straight after a long night in the pub.

But I suggest that if in doubt about an apostrophe then there's usually a way of getting round it. As we have agreed, there's nothing wrong with writing 'a vegetarian option' (just as there's nothing wrong with saying 'the United manager' or 'the Answerbank site'). There's no need to consider alternatives which may or may not need apostrophes.

[THECORBYLOON]

How about "We don't serve any vegie dishes and if you don't like it, TOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" that avoids the need for any abbreviations and an apostrophe, nae bother