Sign-ups vs. Sign ups – Which is Correct?
The correct plural noun form is sign-ups, with a hyphen. “Sign ups” written as two separate words is generally considered incorrect when referring to the noun, although “sign up” functions as a verb phrase. Always use the hyphenated form for the noun to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.
Sign-ups or Sign ups – Which is Correct?
When referring to the act of registering or the total number of registrations, the grammatically correct and widely accepted plural noun is sign-ups, featuring a hyphen. The two-word phrase “sign ups” is often a common misspelling or an incorrect attempt to form the plural noun. While “sign up” functions correctly as a verb phrase (e.g., “Please sign up for the event”), when it acts as a noun describing the registration itself, the hyphen is essential to create a cohesive compound word, avoiding ambiguity and adhering to standard English conventions.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| sign-ups | Noun (plural) | Registrations; instances of people enrolling or joining something. | “The early bird sign-ups exceeded our expectations.” |
| sign ups | Incorrect (as a noun) | Often a mistaken attempt to write the plural noun “sign-ups.” | “We had many sign ups for the class.” (Incorrect; should be “sign-ups”) |
How to Use Sign-ups
The term sign-ups functions as a plural noun, referring to the instances of people registering for an event, service, or membership, or the total count of such registrations. It is commonly used in both formal and casual contexts, especially in business, marketing, and event planning to track participation or interest. The hyphen is crucial here as it transforms the verb phrase “sign up” into a cohesive noun.
Example 1: “The marketing team reported a record number of sign-ups for the new webinar series.”
Example 2: “To qualify for the discount, you must complete your sign-ups before midnight.”
Example 3: “Our website analytics show a steady increase in newsletter sign-ups over the past quarter.”
What are the different forms of Sign-ups?
The primary form is the noun sign-up (singular) or sign-ups (plural). It can also appear as an adjective. The verb form is “to sign up.”
- Noun (singular): sign-up (e.g., “Each individual sign-up was carefully recorded.”)
- Noun (plural): sign-ups (e.g., “The event received hundreds of sign-ups.”)
- Adjective: sign-up (e.g., “The sign-up process was very straightforward.”)
- Verb phrase: sign up (e.g., “Please sign up for the next workshop.”)
Etymology of the word Sign-ups
The term “sign up” originated as a verb phrase, combining “sign” (from Old French signe, Latin signum, meaning “mark, token, sign”) and “up” (an adverb indicating direction or completion). The practice of hyphenating verb-adverb combinations when they function as nouns or adjectives became prevalent in English to create compound words. Thus, “sign-up” emerged as a noun in the mid-20th century to specifically denote a registration or enrollment, with “sign-ups” becoming its standard plural form.
Related Concepts
Understanding hyphenation rules for compound words is key to correctly using terms like “sign-ups.” Hyphens are often used to join two or more words that function as a single concept, especially when they form a compound noun or adjective. This clarifies meaning and prevents misreading.
For instance, when a verb and a particle (like “up,” “down,” “out”) combine to form a noun, a hyphen is typically inserted. Consider these examples:
- Verb Phrase: “We need to break up the fight.”
- Compound Noun: “They had a messy break-up.”
- Verb Phrase: “The company will set up a new office.”
- Compound Noun: “The initial set-up was complicated.”
In these cases, the hyphen signals that the combined words are acting as a single unit, distinct from their individual meanings or their use as a verb phrase. Ignoring the hyphen can lead to grammatical errors and confusion, particularly in formal writing.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The conference organizers were thrilled with the early sign-ups, indicating strong interest in the keynote speakers.” – Forbes
- “We’ve seen a significant boost in newsletter sign-ups since implementing the new pop-up form.” – MarketingProfs
- “Despite the short notice, the charity run garnered hundreds of sign-ups within the first week.” – Local News Report
- “The streaming service announced a surge in new customer sign-ups following the release of its exclusive new series.” – The Hollywood Reporter
- “Teachers are encouraging parents to complete their school trip sign-ups by the end of the month.” – School District Memo
Sign-ups Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Registrations | The act or process of enrolling or being enrolled. |
| Enrollments | The action of enrolling or being enrolled in something. |
| Subscriptions | The action of signing up for a service, publication, or membership. |
| Applications | Formal requests to be considered for something (e.g., a job, course). |
| Memberships | The state of being a member of a group or organization. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “sign-up” singular and “sign-ups” plural?
Yes, that’s correct. “Sign-up” (with a hyphen) is the singular noun form, referring to one registration or enrollment. “Sign-ups” (with a hyphen) is its plural form, referring to multiple registrations.
Question 2: When should I use “sign up” (two words) instead of “sign-up” (hyphenated)?
You should use “sign up” as a two-word verb phrase. For example, “Please sign up for the event.” The hyphenated “sign-up” is used as a noun or an adjective, as in “The sign-up sheet is on the table.”
Question 3: Does the hyphen in “sign-ups” make a difference?
Absolutely. The hyphen transforms the verb phrase “sign up” into a compound noun. Without the hyphen, “sign ups” is generally considered grammatically incorrect when intended as a noun, leading to ambiguity and a less professional tone.
Conclusion
In summary, when referring to registrations or enrollments as a noun, the correct and professional plural form is sign-ups, always with a hyphen. While “sign up” functions as a verb phrase, “sign ups” as a two-word noun is an error to avoid. Mastering the correct usage of hyphenated compound nouns like “sign-ups” demonstrates attention to detail and reinforces clarity in your writing.
Pro Tip: Consistent and correct hyphenation, especially in business or academic contexts, significantly enhances your credibility and the professionalism of your communication. When in doubt about compound words, consulting a style guide or dictionary is always a wise move.
