Quick Answer The plural of life is lives. You drop the -fe and add -ves. One: She has one life. Many: Cats have nine lives. Life and Lives — See the Pattern Read these sentences. Can you see the pattern? Did you notice? When you talk about more than one life, the word always changes…
Quick Answer The plural of leaf is leaves. The word “leafs” is not correct in English. One: There is one leaf on the ground. More than one: There are many leaves on the ground. Leaf Becomes Leaves — See the Pattern Look at these words. Can you see what happens? Did you see the pattern?…
Quick Answer The plural of knife is knives. The word “knifes” is not correct. One: I need a sharp knife. More than one: Put the knives in the drawer. Knife Becomes Knives — See the Pattern Look at these words. Can you see what happens? Did you see the pattern? The -fe at the end…
Quick Answer The plural of larva is larvae. Do not write “larvas” — that is not correct. One larva, two larvae. Larva and Larvae — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. The key words are in blue: Did you see the pattern? When there is one, we say larva. When there are more than…
Quick Answer The plural of diagnosis is diagnoses. The word “diagnosises” is not correct in English. One: The doctor gave me a clear diagnosis. More than one: The hospital made many diagnoses last week. Diagnosis Becomes Diagnoses — See the Pattern Look at these words. Can you see what happens? Did you see the pattern?…
Quick Answer The plural of concerto has two correct forms: concertos (English) and concerti (Italian). Both are right. Everyday English: She played three piano concertos. Classical music context: Vivaldi wrote four concerti for the seasons. Concerto Has Two Plurals — See the Pattern The word concerto comes from Italian. That is why it has two…
Quick Answer The plural of colloquium is colloquia or colloquiums. Both are correct. A colloquium is a formal meeting where people talk about a topic. One: She went to a colloquium on history. More than one: The school held three colloquia last month. Colloquium, Colloquia, Colloquiums — See the Pattern The word colloquium comes from…
Quick Answer The plural of codex is codices or codexes. Both are correct. “Codices” is more common. One: a codex More than one: two codices (or two codexes) Codex, Codices, Codexes — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see the pattern? Did you notice? For one, you say codex. For more than…
Quick Answer The plural of cliff is cliffs. Just add -s. Do not change the -f to -ves. One: There is a tall cliff by the sea. More than one: There are many cliffs along the coast. Cliff, Cliffs — See the Pattern Look at these words. Can you see what happens? Did you see…
Quick Answer The plural of child is children. You do not add -s. The whole word changes. One: There is one child in the room. More than one: There are three children in the room. Child Becomes Children — See the Pattern Look at these words. Can you see what happens? Did you see the…
