General Rule: Make the last word plural
* Examples:
* mother-in-laws (not mothers-in-law)
* attorneys general (not attorney generals)
* passers-by (not passer-bys)
* maids of honor (not maid of honors)
Exceptions:
* If the compound noun refers to a single unit, the first word is made plural:
* assistant directors general (referring to multiple assistant directors general)
Special Cases:
* "Man" and "woman" compounds:
* men-of-war
* women doctors
Always consider the context:
* "High schoolers" refers to students at high school.
* "High schools" refers to multiple high school buildings.
Remember:
The pluralization of compound nouns can sometimes be tricky. Always refer to a dictionary or style guide if you are unsure.