When do we use the plural form shrimps?

Question

When is the use of the plural form of the word shrimp as shrimps?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

You can use it any time, but I would use it when I am speaking of several different species.

Anonymous · Answer

Never! The plural of SHRIMP is SHRIMP!

Anonymous · Answer

The only reason to utilize the "SHRIMPS" as the plural of "SHRIMP" is when speaking of different or multiple types of Shrimp (i.e., Whiteleg, Freshwater, Tiger, Amano, Sekura, Alaskan Pink, etc) collectively. It is stated by some, that depending on your "dialect", the plural "SHRIMPS" is used when speaking in generalease..e.g."I'm ordering the SHRIMPS" instead of the typical and preferable "I'm ordering the SHRIMP". Dialect should really have nothing to do with it and "highly educated" persons finding "use" for it is simply affording an excuse to, frankly butcher common grammar. I have found areas of the country where the "alternate" plural use of many nouns is utilized but not by the majority.

Personally, I've found those that do use the "dialect" plural nouns are people who simply weren't corrected to use the proper plural nouns as they grew up. By not doing so they've also developed the habit for other plural nouns that makes hearing them used in a sentence the equivalent to hearing nails on a chalkboard....e.g "I have a tear in my underwears", "I need to clean my underwears"...instead of "I have a tear in my underwear", or "I need to clean my underwear"(that means 1 piece or all of them...also "Want some beers?", instead of "Want some beer?". I'd even prefer "I went to grab some beers", if they meant different types, if not then "I went to grab some beer".

While we critize those who use the word AIN'T, though it's an acceptable word in many regions, we STILL correct our children when they use it.

When do we use the plural form shrimps?

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