The Surprising Truth About the Plural of Rhinoceros
Quick Answer
The plural of rhinoceros is rhinoceroses. Just add -es to the end.
One: I saw one rhinoceros.
More than one: I saw three rhinoceroses.
Rhinoceros to Rhinoceroses — See the Pattern
Look at these sentences. Can you see the pattern?
- One rhinoceros is standing by the water.
- Two rhinoceroses are standing by the water.
- The rhinoceroses at the zoo are very big.
- I read about rhinoceroses in Africa.
Did you see it? When there is more than one, we add -es to make rhinoceroses.
| Singular (one) | Plural (more than one) |
|---|---|
| rhinoceros | rhinoceroses |
Why We Say Rhinoceroses
In English, when a word ends in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, we add -es to make the plural. The word rhinoceros ends in -s, so we add -es.
It works the same as these words:
- bus → buses
- dress → dresses
- fox → foxes
- rhinoceros → rhinoceroses
Easy way to remember: Rhinoceros ends in S. Words ending in S add ES. That is it!
The Rule in One Line: Rhinoceros ends in S — add ES to make rhinoceroses.
Real-Life Examples With Rhinoceroses
Here are sentences you might hear or use in everyday life:
- The zoo has two rhinoceroses in the new area. (talking about more than one)
- Rhinoceroses can weigh more than 2,000 kilograms. (talking about all of them)
- We took photos of the rhinoceroses on our trip. (talking about specific ones)
- Are there any rhinoceroses left in the wild? (asking about the group)
- Baby rhinoceroses can stand up just one hour after they are born. (a fun fact!)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With Rhinoceros
Many people try to say “rhinoceri” because they think it follows a Latin rule. This is a very common mistake, so do not worry if you have made it too. You are not alone!
✗ We saw three rhinoceri at the zoo.
✓ We saw three rhinoceroses at the zoo.
✗ The rhinoceros’s are in danger.
✓ The rhinoceroses are in danger.
✗ There are five rhinocerus in the park.
✓ There are five rhinoceroses in the park.
How to remember: Think of the word bus. You say “two buses” — not “two busi.” Rhinoceros works the same way. It ends in S, so add ES.
Other words like this: bus → buses, walrus → walruses, octopus → octopuses. They all add -es.
Test Yourself: What Is the Plural of Rhinoceros?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. We saw five _______ at the zoo yesterday.
2. _______ can weigh more than 2,000 kilograms.
3. How many _______ live in this park?
4. The _______ at the wildlife park are very friendly.
5. Africa is home to two kinds of _______.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned that the plural of rhinoceros is rhinoceroses. That is one more plural you will never get wrong again.
But not all animal plurals follow the same pattern. What about deer? If you see ten of them, do you say “ten deers” or “ten deer“? (The answer might surprise you.)
Next lesson: What Is the Plural of Deer?
Sources
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
