Spelling Tip: Latin and Greek Plurals



Spelling Tip: Latin and Greek Plurals

This spelling tip examines the various endings of plural words derived from Latin and Greek.

Nouns that originated from Latin and Greek are common in scientific and medical writing.

The preferred plural form of many of these words is the same as in the original language. But for other plurals, the usual English rules of adding "s" or "es" now apply. Some words are in transition, either form being commonly used.

Examples

Table 1 shows common traditional endings for Latin or Greek singular nouns and their corresponding plural endings.

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).

Quick Tips: Latin and Greek Plurals

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1. Learn the traditional Latin and Greek plural endings (Table 1).

2. Check your dictionary (standard, medical) for the preferred plural form.

3. Above all, use the plural form consistently within your document.

From Spelling Tip: Latin and Greek Plurals to English Grammar Tips

From Spelling Tip: Latin and Greek Plurals to BioMedical Editor home page

Sources

Council of Science Editors, Style Manual Committee. Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers. 7th ed. Reston, VA: The Council; 2006

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 11th ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.; 2007.

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