grammatical number - Correct usage of lbs. as in "pounds" of weight


What is the correct way to say: "All items over 5 lbs. are excluded." I'm specifically asking about "lbs." or is it "lb."? American English if it matters.


Also is "5lbs." ever correct? Or is it "5 lbs."?



Answer



In scientific publications, units of measurement are almost never pluralized when abbreviated. This should remain true for general use, as well. You should therefore never write "lbs." You should technically not need a period after "lb" either, unless it's at the end of a sentence.


The abbreviation "lb" comes from the Latin libra, which is itself short for libra pondo, or "pound weight." And in any case, the plural of libra would be librae, not libras.


And, again in scientific papers, there is always a space between the quantity and the unit.


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