Quick Answer The plural of syllabus is syllabi or syllabuses. Both are correct. Syllabi is more common in schools and universities. Syllabus, Syllabi, Syllabuses — See the Pattern The word syllabus comes from Latin. That is why it has two plural forms. Look at these examples: Did you see the pattern? When there is one,…
Quick Answer The plural of status is statuses. Just add -es to the end. This is the most common and natural form in everyday English. Status and Statuses — See the Pattern The word status comes from Latin. Some people think the plural should follow Latin rules, but in English we simply add -es. Look…
Quick Answer The plural of stigma is stigmas. You just add -s to the end. There is also an old form, stigmata, but you almost never need it in everyday English. One: There is a stigma around mental health. More than one: There are many stigmas around mental health. First, What Does Stigma Mean? Before…
Quick Answer The plural of stratum is strata. It comes from Latin, so it follows the Latin rule: change -um to -a. One: The scientist found one stratum of rock. More than one: The scientist found three strata of rock. Stratum, Strata — See the Pattern A stratum means a layer — like a layer…
Quick Answer The plural of stimulus is stimuli. It follows the Latin rule — words ending in -us change to -i for the plural. One: The bright light was a strong stimulus.Many: The scientists tested different stimuli. Stimulus, Stimuli — See the Pattern Look at these words. Can you see what happens? Did you see…
Quick Answer Software has no plural form. It is always software — never “softwares.” Example: “We installed new software on all the computers.” “Software” Never Changes — See Why Look at these sentences. What do you notice about the word software? Did you see? The word software stays exactly the same every time — whether…
Quick Answer The plural of spectrum is spectra or spectrums. Both are correct. Spectra follows the Latin rule, and spectrums follows the normal English rule. Spectrum, Spectra, Spectrums — See the Pattern The word spectrum comes from Latin. In Latin, words that end in -um change to -a in the plural. That is why we…
Quick Answer The plural of shrimp is shrimp. You can also say shrimps, but shrimp is much more common. Example: We ate shrimp for dinner last night. Shrimp or Shrimps — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see what happens to the word shrimp? Did you see the pattern? Most of the…
Quick Answer The plural of species is species. The word never changes. One species, many species — always the same. One: This species is very rare. Many: These species are all endangered. One Species, Two Species — The Word Never Changes Look at these sentences. Can you see what happens? Did you see the pattern?…
Quick Answer The word shorts is always plural. You cannot say “a short.” Say “a pair of shorts” for one and “pairs of shorts” for more than one. Always use a plural verb: “My shorts are in the wash.” Shorts, Trousers, Jeans — See the Pattern Some clothes are always plural in English. Read these…
