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Table 1.
Common Latin and Greek Noun Endings
Singular ending Plural ending
- a →^ - ae
- en →^ - ina
- ex →^ - ices
- is →^ - es
- itis →^ - itides
- ix →^ - ices
- on →^ - a
- um →^ - a
- us →^ - i
Table 2 presents singular and plural forms of selected nouns derived from Latin and Greek. English forms are shown in bold. Some dictionaries indicate that the two plural forms— traditional and English —occur with equal frequency. However, the acceptability of an English plural form may differ by publication. Caution: Read the dictionary entry carefully. Sometimes the English plural is used for only a narrow definition of the term. Table 2. Singular and Plural Nouns Derived From Latin and Greek Singular form Plural form alga algae or algas analysis analyses bacterium bacteria basis bases criterion criteria or criterions datum data focus foci or focuses foramen foramina or foramens formula formulae or formulas fungus fungi or funguses genus (^) generaa hypothesis hypotheses index indices ( math ) or indexes larva larvae or larvas matrix matrices or matrixes medium media nephritis nephritides nucleus nuclei or nucleuses parenthesis parentheses
phenomenon phenomena radius radii or radiuses stimulus stimuli stratum strata synthesis syntheses vertebra vertebrae or vertebras aThe plural ending for this word is an exception to the rule (see Table 1). http://www.biomedicaleditor.com/spelling-tip-latin.html
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o Which form to use?
As a rule of thumb, the Latin-style plural is appropriate to formal, scientific, or technical writing, while the English plural is better suited to everyday language. Rock guitarists use plectrums , and might be ridiculed if they called them plectra. Choosing to use the Latin plural form when an English one is also available can smack of pretentiousness or pomposity, as when talking of online fora rather than forums. o Common words with both forms When deciding which to choose, it is important to bear in mind the context in which it will appear, as outlined above. SINGULAR PLURAL addendum addendums or addenda aquarium aquariums or aquaria gymnasium gymnasiums or gymnasia maximum maximums or maxima memorandum memorandums or memoranda minimum minimums or minima moratorium moratoriums or moratoria referendum referendums or referenda Though both curricula and curriculums are used, the first is found rather more frequently. o Common words with plural in - uses SINGULAR PLURAL caucus caucuses f(o)etus f(o)etuses hiatus hiatuses phallus phalluses prospectus prospectuses sinus sinuses virus viruses The word ignoramus is not a Latin noun, so its plural can only ever be ignoramuses. Both syllabuses and syllabi are used, but the first is used more often in World English, while the second is often used in American English. The plural of octopus is another special case.
