Before this chapter “Some Typical Plural nouns”, we have discussed “Noun and its types‘ and “Gender of Nouns” and “Noun and Number.” You’d better read those two important lessons. Anyway, we’re going to see some special rules for Latin and Greek words whose plural forms are typical.
Some Typical Plural Nouns
There are a number of rules for changing Latinand Greek words’ to plural noun. Let’s see all one by one with examples.
Rule 1
Some Latin words having ‘um’ at the end, are singular. We replace ‘um’ with ‘a’ to make their plural.
Examples:
Addendum – Addenda
Datum – Data
Ovum – Ova
Erratum – Errata
Agendum – Agenda
Dictum – Dicta
Memorandum – Memoranda
Stratum – Strata
Note
‘Agenda’ and ‘Data’ are used as both singular nouns and plural nouns.
Examples;
- The agenda has been finalised. (Singular Noun)
- The agenda of the meeting are drawn today. (Plural Noun)
- Te data is incomplete. (Singular Noun)
- More data are required. (Plural Noun)
Rule 2
There are some Latin words that end with ‘um.’ Such words take ‘s’ at the end for their plural form.
Examples:
Asylum – Asylums
Museum – Museums
Premium – Premiums
Petroleum – Petroleums
Forum – Forums
Pendulum – Pendulums
Quorum – Quorums
Formulae – Formulae/ Formulaes
Note: The plural form of ‘Medium’ is ‘media’ when it is sued as a means or agency, but it is ‘mediums’ when used in spiritual sense.
Rule 3
Some Latin words have ‘us’ at the end. We replace that ‘us’ into ‘i’ to make plural form.
Examples:
Radius – Radii
Locus – Loci
Syllabus – Syllabi
Genius – Geni
Rule 4
Some Greek words have ‘is’ at the end. We change that ‘is’ into ‘es’ to make their plural.
Examples:
Analysis – Analyses
Crisis – Crises
Basis – Bases
Hypothesis – Hypotheses
Thesis – Theses
Paranthesis – Parantheses
Rule 5
Some Greek words have ‘on’ at the end. To make their plural form, we have to change ‘on’ into ‘a.’
Examples:
Phenomenon – Phenomena
Criterion – Criteria
Rule 6
Other different types of Plural have been given below:
If – Ifs
I – I’s
5 – 5s
P – P’s
BA – BAs
ATM – ATMs
But – Buts
T – T’s
10 – 10s
MP – MPs
MA – MAs
IPC – UPCs
Rule 7
Meaning of some singlar nouns are different compared to their plural form. So, we should use them carefully.
Examples:
Force (Power) – Forces (Army)
Ground (Land) – Grounds (Causes)
Advice (Suggestion) – Asvices (Information)
