What’s the Plural of Syllabus: Understanding Academic Terminology

• Both ‘syllabuses’ and ‘syllabi’ are correct plural forms of ‘syllabus’.
• ‘Syllabus‘ has a Latin origin, which affects its pluralization.
• Understanding the context and preference can guide the use of either ‘syllabuses’ or ‘syllabi’.

The term ‘syllabus’ originally comes from a Latin word, which has influenced the plural form ‘syllabi’. It’s also adapted to the regular English pluralization rule, adding -es to form ‘syllabuses’. These variations in pluralization are common with words that have Latin or Greek roots, where the traditional English plural form coexists with a form that adheres to the word’s original language.

Is Syllabus Plural or Singular?

The word ‘syllabus’ refers to a singular noun. It is defined as an outline or a summary of topics to be covered in an educational course.

The plural form of ‘syllabus’ can be either ‘syllabi’ or ‘syllabuses.’ Both terms are correct and widely accepted in English; however, their usage may vary depending on the context or preference.

Plural Forms of ‘Syllabus’:

Form	Usage
Syllabuses	Often seen in informal contexts and considered more ‘regular’ in modern English.
Syllabi	More formal, traditionally preferred in academic settings, and reflects Latin origins.

• Syllabuses may include a detailed calendar of lectures and readings.
• Academic institutions might require instructors to submit syllabi for approval before classes begin.

Emphasis on Usage:

• Syllabuses are pragmatic and align with other English pluralization patterns.
• Syllabi retains an air of classical education and is easily recognized among scholars.

Definition of Syllabus

A syllabus is an academic document that outlines the elements of a specific course. It typically serves as a guide for both instructors and students, delineating the course structure, requirements, objectives, and materials. The syllabus is usually provided at the beginning of a course, offering a detailed schedule of topics to be covered, assignments, readings, exams, and other pertinent course logistics.

Here is a breakdown of a syllabus’ core components:

Component	Description
Course Information	Course title, number, and description; semester; and year.
Instructor Information	Name, contact information, office hours, and location.
Course Requirements	Textbooks, materials, and prerequisites.
Grading Policy	Explanation of grading criteria and scale.
Course Schedule	Calendar of topics, readings, assignments, and exams.

The syllabus not only informs students of their academic commitments and expectations; it also offers a framework within which the course will operate.

In addition to the traditional elements, a syllabus may include:

• Learning Outcomes
• Expectations for class participation
• Policies on technology use
• Accommodations for disabilities

What’s the Plural of Syllabus?

The plural form of “syllabus” can take two accepted forms: “syllabi” and “syllabuses.”

Syllabi stems from the traditional Latin method of pluralization:

Singular	Plural
Syllabus	Syllabi

However, “syllabuses” is also correct and conforms to the standard English practice of adding “-es” to nouns ending in “-us”:

Singular	Plural
Syllabus	Syllabuses

Here are the critical distinctions between the two options:

• Syllabi:

  • Rooted in Latin.
  • Often used in academia.
  • Sounds more formal.

• Syllabuses:

  • Aligned with English pluralization rules.
  • More commonly used in everyday English.
  • Less formal.

Nouns Ending in -us/-i

Examples of -us Nouns and Their -i Plurals:

Singular (-us)	Plural (-i)
alumnus	alumni
cactus	cacti
focus	foci
fungus	fungi
stimulus	stimuli

Words with Both -i and -es Plurals:

Singular (-us)	Plural (-i)	Plural (-uses)
syllabus	syllabi	syllabuses
octopus	octopi	octopuses
nucleus	nuclei	nucleuses
corpus	corpora	corpuses

• Irregularities: Not all words ending in -us will follow the -i pluralization rule; for instance, “bus” becomes “buses,” not “bi”.
• Etymology Matters: The origin of the word influences its plural form; words with Greek roots may differ, such as “syllabus” (a word with Greek origins misspelled in Latin), which sometimes brings “syllabontes” into discussions.
• Preference and Context: Variations in plural forms can be attributed to formal versus informal contexts, with traditional forms often appearing in academic settings.

Syllabus Used in Context (in Sentences)

Singular Form

Subject	Sentence
Math Class	She reviewed the syllabus on the first day.
History	The syllabus outlined all the key historical events to study.

The singular “syllabus” is used when referring to a single course or subject matter.

Plural Form

In plural form, “syllabi” or “syllabuses” can be used interchangeably, albeit “syllabi” being more prevalent in academic settings.

Context	Sentence Using ‘Syllabi’	Sentence Using ‘Syllabuses’
University	The professor distributed the syllabi for her literature classes.	Each of the courses had distinct syllabuses that she compared.
Conference	Attendees received syllabi detailing the various sessions.	The event organizers compiled syllabuses for different tracks.

The plural form is appropriate when referring to more than one course or document.

• A syllabus can contain goals, topics, and assessments.
• “Syllabi” implies multiple outlines from perhaps various classes or subjects.
• The context of education often governs the choice between “syllabuses” and “syllabi.”
• It is crucial to match the syllabus accurately with its subject to avoid confusion.

Syllabuses/Syllabi Used in Context (in Sentences)

Usage of “Syllabuses”:

• The new curriculum changes are reflected in the updated syllabuses.
• Instructors tailored their syllabuses to include more interactive assignments.
• Each department’s standardized syllabuses ensure a cohesive educational experience.

Usage of “Syllabi”:

• Students are advised to read their course syllabi carefully at the start of the semester.
• Comparative literature syllabi often include diverse global texts.
• The committee reviewed the teaching syllabi for approval before the academic year commenced.

Term Used	Example Sentence
Syllabuses	“The board suggested revisions to the science syllabuses for the next term.”
Syllabi	“Teachers must submit their course syllabi by week’s end for review.”

Synonyms of Syllabus

Below are common synonyms for “syllabus”:

Term	Context of Use
Outline	Often indicates a more general overview of content.
Curriculum	Implies a broader scope, including all courses within a program.
Course Guide	Provides specific details about a single course.

Each of these synonyms ^may^ carry slight variations in meaning or usage, depending on the educational context. For instance, a curriculum may encompass multiple syllabi if it refers to a complete program of study, whereas a course guide is typically specific to one class.

Additional synonyms include:

• Program of study: Typically used to describe the comprehensive set of courses and experiences designed for a specific degree or certification.
• Schedule of topics: Refers to the chronological order in which topics will be covered during a course.
• Abstract
• Course outline
• Study guide
• Lesson plan

Origin of the Word Syllabus

The term syllabus has an interesting history, rooted in a blend of Latin and Greek linguistic elements. Initially, the word appeared in the 1650s, functioning as an abstract or list-like summary.

Etymology and Misinterpretation

Language	Interpretation
New Latin	List, mistaken transcription of sittybas
Greek	Sittybās, labels on papyrus rolls

A common belief is that the term syllabus might be a misreading or transcription error from manuscripts of Cicero, a Roman orator. Scholars postulate that what was originally sittybas—a plural Greek term for labels attached to scroll cases—was misread as syllabus in Latin texts.

In its journey to English, syllabus underwent further transformation. It embraced the function of outlining course details in the realm of education. This adaptation has influenced its contemporary usage, particularly in academic contexts, highlighting a summary of topics covered in a course or module.

Late Latin to English

Century	Development
1650s	Adopted into English as a summary outline

Sources

1. Definition of syllabus.
2. Origin of syllabus.
3. Thesaurus of syllabus.

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