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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Plural forms

I am creating a cheat sheet of plural forms for a class project and I want to be sure that I am not being misleading to a class about to head off and start writing college essays. Is there a time in which you would use 'fish' over 'fishes' or 'herring' over 'herrings?'

Is is more accepted to use 'taxis' or 'taxies?'

How about 'zeros' or 'zeroes?'

'Indicies' or 'indexes'?

These are just a few examples, but most of these forms apply to other words as well.
  

Top answer

I hear "fishes," but it still sounds wrong to me. " But, then again, they are both right. I prefer "zeroes" and "taxis" is the correct one.

— Englishmaven

  • I hear "fishes," but it still sounds wrong to me.
  • " But, then again, they are both right.
  • I prefer "zeroes" and "taxis" is the correct one.
  • "Indices" is right, but "indexes" is in common use, so it really depends on the audience of the paper.
  • " Lastly, "herring" is correct.
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3 Answers
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I hear "fishes," but it still sounds wrong to me. I prefer "fish." But, then again, they are both right. I prefer "zeroes" and "taxis" is the correct one. "Indices" is right, but "indexes" is in common use, so it really depends on the audience of the paper. In Phoenix, people say "cacti," which is correct, but in most places, people say "cactuses." Lastly, "herring" is correct.
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I would choose one dictionary and stick to its recommendations. If two spellings are given for the plural, use the first one listed.

Try this: www.m-w.com

I would use "fishes" for "varieties of fish" if absolutely necessary. There are many fishes available for sale at the local pet store. But normally I'd say There are many kinds of fish available ....
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I checked all of those examples with mirriam webster and the dictionary says both spellings of all are correct. Thanks for the help!
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