Category: Singular vs. Plural

If you decide to stay in college long enough, you may eventually be required to write a thesis, which is an original academic work that demonstrates the research and critical-thinking skills you've developed along the way. Most graduates have to write only one thesis, but what happens if several students are discussing theirs as a …

We know a scarf can provide some extra warmth on a chilly day. In other cases, it might add a dash of flair to an otherwise lackluster outfit. One thing we might be unsure of, however, is the proper way to write and say the word for more than one scarf. In this post we …

You need to get across town and you're not in a hurry. Should you rush to catch your bus, or will there be another one arriving soon after? While you're plumbing this question, other ones jump to mind: What word would you use to identify more than one bus, and how would you spell it? …

As the second Sunday of May approaches, we are reminded again of the importance of motherhood. The holiday dedicated to mothers was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and later made an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Its origin can be traced to the ancient Greeks and Romans, but the foundation of the modern holiday …

Suppose you are writing a science-fiction novel in which spiky plants come to life in the desert. They uproot themselves and begin pursuing your hero. As they bear down, how would you refer to them: as cacti, cactuses, or something else? In other words, what's the plural of cactus? The Plural of Cactus The origin …

An octopus is a marine cephalopod mollusk that has a soft body and eight arms. What word should we use if we are referring to more than one of these invertebrate animals? Two Ways to Spell the Plural of Octopus Unlike many words in the English language, the word octopus has more than one spelling …

Could you give the correct word for the plural of diagnosis? This question can sometimes trip writers, speakers, and even editors. In today's review we'll give you the answer, as well as touch on the reason these types of words can be tricky to form and remember. We'll also share a few tips to help …

Many of us may have at some point wondered whether we should use data as a singular or plural word. The right answer can be evasive. How to treat data can influence our writing and sentence structure in different ways. Let's review this word more closely to reach a conclusion we can work with. Is …

Both crisis and crises are correct and acceptable words to use in American English, but they also differ slightly in meaning. Today we’ll explain the difference and ensure you know which one to use in the right context. Crises Is the Plural of Crisis The word crisis is defined as “a tragedy or negative event.” …

Which word do you use if you’re playing a game with more than one small, numbered cube that you have to roll? Today we’ll look at the word dice, along with some related thoughts. The Plural of Dice: Are We Using Correct English? To begin with, asking “What is the plural of dice?” is a …