What are the three plurals of octopus?
The current champion in the Battle of Troublesome Pluralization is octopus, which, depending on which dictionary is consulted, may be written in three different ways: octopi, octopuses, and octopodes.
Why is plural of octopus not octopi?
This is the least-used ending, even though it may fit the word’s Greek origins best. Octopodes stems from the belief that because octopus is originally Greek, it should have a Greek ending, says Merriam-Webster. However, the final option, octopuses, is the preferred plural when speaking and writing in English.
What are the plurals for octopus?
Octopuses u2705 Generally, when a noun enters into English, it is pluralized as an English word rather than in its original form. Octopuses may sound peculiar to some, but this is the preferred plural. It’s also peculiar to debate octopuses when the octopus is a solitary creature.
Which is correct octopuses or octopi?
This is the least-used ending, even though it may fit the word’s Greek origins best. Octopodes stems from the belief that because octopus is originally Greek, it should have a Greek ending, says Merriam-Webster. However, the final option, octopuses, is the preferred plural when speaking and writing in English.
What are the 3 types of plural?
Both octopuses and octopi are acceptable plurals for octopus. Of the two, octopuses is the simpler and more commonly used. The proposed plural octopodes is based on the plural of the Ancient Greek word from which octopus ultimately derives. But it’s rarely used outside of the octopuses vs.
When did the plural of octopus become octopuses?
-1700s
Is octopi actually correct?
Grammatically speaking, the plural for octopus is octopuses. As the Merriam-Webster dictionary points out, people use three different terms, however: octopi, octopuses, and octopodes. While octopi has become popular in modern usage, it’s wrong
How do you say the plural of octopus?
Octopodes stems from the belief that because octopus is originally Greek, it should have a Greek ending, says Merriam-Webster. However, the final option, octopuses, is the preferred plural when speaking and writing in English.
Is it wrong to say octopuses?
Grammatically speaking, the plural for octopus is octopuses. As the Merriam-Webster dictionary points out, people use three different terms, however: octopi, octopuses, and octopodes. While octopi has become popular in modern usage, it’s wrong.
What is the correct plural form of octopus?
However, octopus is not a simple Latin word, but a Latinized form of the Greek word oktpus. Consequently, its correct plural form would logically be octopodes
Do you say octopi or octopus?
Both octopuses and octopi are acceptable plurals for octopus. Of the two, octopuses is the simpler and more commonly used. The proposed plural octopodes is based on the plural of the Ancient Greek word from which octopus ultimately derives. But it’s rarely used outside of the octopuses vs.
What are the types of plurals?
The Many Forms of Plurals
- nonsibilant, or voiceless, consonants: add -s (dogs).
- voiced, or sibilant, consonant blends: add -es (riches).
- vowels: add -s (knees).
- -f: delete -f and add -ves (loaves) or -s (chiefs).
- -x: add -es (foxes).
- -y: delete -y and add -ies (bodies).
What are 3 plural nouns?
SingularPluralwomanwomenmanmenchildchildrentoothteeth26 more rows
What are 5 plural nouns?
Irregular plural nouns in English
- child children.
- person people.
- man men.
- woman women.
- tooth teeth.
- foot feet.
- mouse mice.
- goose geese.
What are 2 plural nouns?
A double plural is the plural form of a noun with an additional plural ending (usually -s) attached; for example, candelabras (singular, candelabrum; plural, candelabra) or sixpences (singular, penny; plural, pence).
When was the plural of octopus changed?
When octopus was first mentioned in the English language in the mid-1700s, it was pluralized as octopuses. That said, some grammarians wanted English to be like the less irregular Latin language, so they started putting Latin pluralizations on Latin-based English words, which led to octopi.
Why is the plural of octopus octopuses?
Octopuses gives the word an English ending to match its adoption as an English word. Generally, when a noun enters into English, it is pluralized as an English word rather than in its original form. Octopuses may sound peculiar to some, but this is the preferred plural.
When did octopi change to octopuses?
You would not, however, be correct. In reality, the English language adopted the word octopus in the mid-1700s. Because English nouns ending in -s are switched to -es when made plural, octopus became octopuses.
Why is octopi incorrect?
While octopi has become popular in modern usage, it’s wrong. The letter i as a suffix to indicate a plural noun only applies to words with Latin roots, like cacti for more than one cactus. But octopus is derived from Greek, so the proper pluralization in this case would be odes if it was ever used.
Is octopi grammatically correct?
While octopi has become popular in modern usage, it’s wrong. Octopi is the oldest plural form of octopus, coming from the belief that Latin origins should have Latin endings. However, octopus is not a simple Latin word, but a Latinized form of the Greek word oktpus.
Why is the plural of octopus octopi?
When octopus was first mentioned in the English language in the mid-1700s, it was pluralized as octopuses. That said, some grammarians wanted English to be like the less irregular Latin language, so they started putting Latin pluralizations on Latin-based English words, which led to octopi.
