What’s the Plural of Vortex: Understanding Multiple Swirling Phenomena

Vortex, Vortices, Vortexes — See the Pattern

Look at these sentences. Can you see the pattern?

• A vortex formed in the water when it went down the drain.
• Scientists found two vortices in the ocean.
• The storm created several vortexes in the sky.
• Many vortices appear during big storms.

Did you notice? For one, you say vortex. For more than one, you can say vortices or vortexes.

Why Vortex Has Two Plural Forms

The word vortex comes from Latin. In Latin, words that end in -ex change to -ices in the plural:

• vortex → vortices
• vertex → vertices
• index → indices

But in English, you can also just add -es to the end:

• vortex → vortexes

Both are correct. Most people use vortices in writing and science. Vortexes is more common in everyday speech. You cannot go wrong with either one.

Easy way to remember: Think of the word “index.” You can say “indexes” or “indices.” Vortex works the same way.

Real-Life Examples With Vortex and Vortices

Here are sentences you might hear or read in real life:

• A vortex of wind picked up the leaves in the park. (= one spinning wind)
• The weather report warned about polar vortices bringing cold air. (= more than one cold air mass)
• Small vortices formed behind the boat as it moved through the water. (= many small spinning areas)
• She watched a vortex form in the bathtub drain. (= one spinning water)
• The pilot was careful to avoid the vortexes near the runway. (= more than one, everyday English)

You are doing great. Now let us look at the mistakes many learners make.

Two Mistakes to Avoid With Vortex

Even advanced learners get confused by Latin plurals — so if you mix these up, you are not alone. Here are the two most common mistakes:

Mistake 1: Adding just -s

Some learners write “vortexs” — just adding an -s. But that is not correct. You need to add -es (vortexes) or change the ending to -ices (vortices).

Mistake 2: Using “vortex” as a plural

Some learners say “many vortex” instead of “many vortices.” The word vortex is only for one. For more than one, you must change the form.

How to remember: The ending changes — just like “box” becomes “boxes,” not “boxs.” And just like “index” becomes “indices,” vortex becomes vortices.

Other words like this: vertex → vertices, index → indices, apex → apices. They all follow the same Latin pattern.

Test Yourself: Vortex, Vortices, or Vortexes?

Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.

Keep Going — You Are Building Something

You just learned the plural of vortex. That is one more tricky plural you will never get wrong again.

But vortex is not the only word that ends in -ex and changes to -ices. Do you know the plural of vertex? Is it “vertexes” or “vertices”? And does it follow the same rule as vortex? (The answer might surprise you.)

Next lesson: What’s the Plural of Vertex?

Source

Sentences using vortex — Cambridge Dictionary

Origin of vortex — Online Etymology Dictionary