Question

I am trying to write a paper and I need to know the correct grammar for possessive acronyms. When we first use an acronym like RA for Resident Assistant, we put it in parentheses after the spelled-out version. If the word is possessive, do we write Resident Assistant's (RA)'s? Or just Resident Assistant's (RA)?

Answer 1

I would go without the (RA) qualification, and just say "The Resident Assistant's". It'll make it easier by avoiding the problem altogether. You could clarify the (RA) in a different location. It actually doesn't make much sense, practically speaking, to add a (RA) in that location, and will probably confuse the reader no matter what you write.

However, I like "Resident Assistant's (RA)" the best. It is visually intuitive.