Quick Answer The plural of referendum is referenda (the Latin way) or referendums (the English way). Both are correct. Most news writers today use referendums. Referendum, Referenda, Referendums — See the Pattern A referendum is a public vote on one big question. The people of a country vote “yes” or “no” on it. Look at…
Quick Answer The plural of radius is radii. You can also say radiuses — both are correct. Radii is more common. One: The radius of this circle is 5 cm.Many: The radii of these circles are all different. Radius, Radii, Radiuses — See the Pattern Look at these words. Can you see what happens? Did…
Quick Answer The plural of potato is potatoes. The spelling “potatos” is not correct. One: I baked one potato for dinner. More than one: We bought five potatoes at the shop. Potato Becomes Potatoes — See the Pattern Look at these words. Can you see what happens? Did you see the pattern? These words all…
Quick Answer The word pliers is always plural. You cannot say “a plier.” Say “a pair of pliers” for one and “pairs of pliers” for more than one. Pliers — Always Plural, Always “Are” Look at these sentences. Pay attention to the words in blue: Did you see the pattern? We always say pliers —…
Quick Answer The plural of platypus is platypuses. It is NOT “platypi.” Example: “We saw three platypuses at the river.” Platypus or Platypuses — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see what changes? Did you see the pattern? When you talk about one, you say platypus. When you talk about more than…
Quick Answer The plural of phenomenon is phenomena. One phenomenon, two phenomena. Do not add an S — “phenomenons” is not correct. Phenomenon and Phenomena — See the Pattern The word phenomenon comes from Greek. That is why the plural does not just add an S. Look at these examples: Did you see the pattern?…
Quick Answer The plural of parenthesis is parentheses. You change the -is at the end to -es. For example: “The sentence has two parentheses.” Parenthesis or Parentheses — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see how the word changes? Did you see the pattern? When there is one, you say parenthesis. When…
Quick Answer The plural of paralysis is paralyses. Change the ending -sis to -ses: paralysis → paralyses. Paralysis and Paralyses — See the Pattern Look at these two sentences. Can you see the difference? Did you see the pattern? When there is one, we say paralysis. When there are two or more, we say paralyses….
Quick Answer The word pants is always plural. You cannot say “a pant.” Say “a pair of pants” for one and “pairs of pants” for more than one. Pants — Always Plural, Always “Are” Look at these sentences. Pay attention to the words in blue: Did you see the pattern? We always say pants —…
Quick Answer The plural of ox is oxen. It does not follow the normal -s rule. You have to learn this one by memory. One: The farmer has one ox. More than one: The farmer has three oxen. Ox Becomes Oxen — See the Pattern Look at these words. They do not add -s or…
