Puzzling Plurals: Daylight Saving and other Savings

Posted on November 1st, 2010 by Debra

Sources on the internet state, and I agree, that the standard is to call it Daylight Saving Time (no -s on saving)

I recommend just remembering this, but some people like rules, so here’s my attempt:

Consistent with the rule that nouns that function as adjectives are never plural (except the word sport, as in sports bar, or sports team), if you put the gerund (noun) saving in front of the word time, there is no need for an -s ending on saving.

Click here for an activity to practice this rule.

However, the rule is challenged when you use the word saving to modify bond or account, which become savings bond and savings account.

In marketing and consumer materials, the word savings is used as a plural noun as seen in these examples: “Storewide Savings” and “Mega Sale Savings“.

Incidentally, in 2010 in the United States (but not all states), Daylight Saving Time begins on November 7, 2010 at 2:00 am.

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks