Term
| Plural Rule #1: For most words, simply add an -s to the end of the word. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: sample = samples, bed = beds, specimen = specimens, pill = pills, doctor = doctors, hospital = hospitals |
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Term
| Plural Rule #2: For words ending in -s, -z, -ch, -sh (and nonmedical -x) add an -es to the end of the word. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: dish = dishes, lunch = lunches, loss = losses, reflex = reflexes |
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Term
| Plural Rule #3: For words ending in -y which are preceded by a consonant, change the -y to an i and add -es. (For words ending in -y preceded by a vowel simply add an -s, i.e., plays, monkeys.) |
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Definition
monkeys.)
EXAMPLES: allergy = allergies, anomaly = anomalies, body = bodies, abnormality = abnormalities, party = parties |
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Term
| the correct plural form of the word echo is echoes. This can be seen in other English words ending in o as well, such as potato and tomato. |
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Definition
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Term
| Plural Rule #4: For words ending in -um change the -um to an -a. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: antrum = antra, ostium = ostia, velum = vela, ischium = ischia, diverticulum = diverticula. |
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Term
| Plural Rule #5: For words that end in -a, add an -e. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: bursa = bursae, lingula = lingulae, uvula = uvulae |
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Term
| Plural Rule #5: For words that end in -a, add an -e. |
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Definition
| Exception to this rule for words ending in -oma or -gma such as stroma. In this instance, add the letters -ta to the end of the word (stromata). Other examples of this are stigma = stigmata, leiomyoma = leiomyomata. |
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Term
| Plural Rule #5: For words that end in -a, add an -e. |
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Definition
| Another exception is in the following two words. These words appear only as plural forms: adnexa and genitalia. |
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Term
| Plural Rule #6: For words ending in -us, replace the -us with a single -i. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: lobus = lobi, tragus = tragi, focus = foci |
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Term
| Plural Rule #6: For words ending in -us, replace the -us with a single -i. |
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Definition
| First, there are two words you should memorize, meatus and plexus. Their plural and singular forms are exactly the same. Grammatically, they are treated as singular forms. "The solar plexus is tender to palpation." |
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Term
| Plural Rule #6: For words ending in -us, replace the -us with a single -i. |
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Definition
| Second, there are three unusual exceptions, all ending in -us. These are: viscus which becomes viscera; crus which becomes crura; and corpus which becomes corpora. |
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Term
| Plural Rule #7: For words ending in -en, change the -en to -ina. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: foramen = foramina, lumen = lumina |
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Term
| Plural Rule #8: In words ending in -is, change the -i to an -e. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: metastasis = metastases, naris = nares, pelvis = pelves |
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Term
| Plural Rule #8: In words ending in -is, change the -i to an -e. |
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Definition
| There are exceptions to this rule as well. They are: arthritis, which becomes arthritides; cuspis, which becomes cuspides; and iris, which becomes irides. |
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Term
Plural Rule #9: In words ending in either -ex or -ix, the ending is replaced with -ices.
An exception to the rule is the word reflex. The only acceptable plural is reflexes. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: cervix = cervices, apex = apices, vertex = vertices |
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Term
Plural Rule #9b:
If any other letter precedes the -x in the word (with the exception of -n), simply replace the -x with -ces. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: falx = falces, thorax = thoraces |
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Term
Plural Rule #9c:
Finally, if the -x is preceded by the letter -n, replace the -x with -ges. |
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Definition
| EXAMPLES: pharynx = pharynges, phalanx = phalanges |
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