How to Pluralize "Yes"

Hint: The usual rules still apply. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

What is Grammar Minute?

Saving the English language 60 seconds at a time.

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we’re saving the English language sixty seconds at a time! I’m Lauren Smyth, and how do you pluralize “yes” and “no”?
This is a tricky one, and in the end, it comes down to what style guide you’re using. I typically work with the Chicago Manual of Style, which is probably the most commonly referenced style guide for fiction and nonfiction books and standard communications like newsletters and emails. In Chicago, you pluralize “yes” and “no” and “do” and “don’t” exactly like you would pluralize any other word: by adding an “s” with no apostrophe.
Note that this rule is different if you’re pluralizing single letters. X’s and o’s are pluralized with an apostrophe s, so that you aren’t tempted to pronounce them like words: xs and os, or something like that. But remember, this is pretty much the ONLY time a plural word has an apostrophe s. Most of the time, it’s just s. Alone. No apostrophe.
That’s your Grammar Minute! Visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.