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Bubr Posted 23 years ago
Grammar

Strange plurals

Hello everyone!

There are several odd words that I came across recently - like 'radius' or 'phenomenon'. Some people would use such plural form as 'radii' and 'phenomena'. Does it come from Latin? Would it be grammatically correct to say 'radiuses' and 'phenomenons'?
  

Top answer

Yes, it's from Latin, and yes, it is correct to use normal English plurals too. com /"]Merriam-Webster[/url] usually shows correct plurals.

— Bulatych

  • Yes, it's from Latin, and yes, it is correct to use normal English plurals too.
  • com /"]Merriam-Webster[/url] usually shows correct plurals.
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11 Answers
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Yes, it's from Latin, and yes, it is correct to use normal English plurals too. [url="http://m-w.com/"]Merriam-Webster[/url] usually shows correct plurals.
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Cnacu6o, Bulatych!

How do you like it in Canada? Emotion: smile
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You're welcome! I like it here. Emotion: smile
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First, buy an American Heritage dictionary. Second, never rely on webster's, use the latin for these plurals.
good luck

James
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Well... what is there to say? Thanks. It is probably not a simple question.
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How about "practicum?" I want to say "practica" for the plural, but am not sure, and Mirriam-Webster doesn't have any advice.
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migo posting here:
First, buy an American Heritage dictionary. Second, never rely on webster's, use the latin for these plurals.
good luck


I can see a definite prescriptivist bias there.
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Hello, Bubr Emotion: smile

Many of the words that sound "odd" in English come from other languages.
"Radius" comes from Latin, "phe
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pretty sure that phenomena has greek origins...
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What do you suggest doing with people who use "phenomena" in the singular because they think it sounds more intelligent?
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