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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Formulae/Formula - Which is correct

My grammar question is this:

Which is correct:

Nine formulae buttons appear below;

OR

Nine formula buttons appear below

To contextualise, I am writing a HELP manual for a new software product.

As an aside to the moderators, I have just created a new account, but can't log in, I just get taken back to the log in screen after I have entered my password and account name - something you might want to check out!

Thanks in advance!
  

Top answer

The singular 'formula' is correct, because it is used as an adjective. Singular is always used for nouns as adjectives: 'a ten-minute coffee break', 'a shoe store', 'ten shoe stores'. And should you come to need the plural noun, 'formulas' would be more appropriate for software, I believe.

— Mister Micawber

  • The singular 'formula' is correct, because it is used as an adjective.
  • Singular is always used for nouns as adjectives: 'a ten-minute coffee break', 'a shoe store', 'ten shoe stores'.
  • And should you come to need the plural noun, 'formulas' would be more appropriate for software, I believe.
  • The Latinate 'formulae' is pretty much restricted now to mathematics and pure science, and it sounds a bit stilted elsewhere.
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1 Answers
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The singular 'formula' is correct, because it is used as an adjective. Singular is always used for nouns as adjectives: 'a ten-minute coffee break', 'a shoe store', 'ten shoe stores'.

And should you come to need the plural noun, 'formulas' would be more appropriate for software, I believe. The Latinate 'formulae' is pretty much restricted now to mathematics and pure science, and it so
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