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Hippos are one of the most fascinating animals on the planet. These massive creatures are known for their enormous size, their powerful jaws, and their playful nature. But what about their name? Have you ever wondered what the plural of hippopotamus is? In this article, we’ll explore the different ways to pluralize this fascinating animal and discover the history behind its name. So, let’s dive in and explore the plural of hippopotamus!
Plural of Hippopotamus
Contents
Understanding Hippopotamus and Plural of Hippopotamus
If you’re looking for a large, four-toed, herbivorous mammal that spends most of its time in the water, you’re probably thinking of a hippopotamus. These animals are known for their large head and mouth, nearly hairless thick grayish skin, long lower canine teeth, and relatively short legs.
The plural of hippopotamus is “hippopotamuses” or “hippopotami”. Both forms are considered correct, although “hippopotamuses” is more commonly used in modern English. The word “hippopotami” is derived from the ancient Greek language, while “hippopotamuses” is based on the Latin language.
Hippopotamuses spend most of their day in the water, coming out at night to graze on grasses and other vegetation. Despite their herbivorous diet, hippos are considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa due to their territorial nature and aggressive behavior when threatened.
In terms of their behavior, hippopotamuses are social animals and can live in groups of up to thirty. Despite their bulky appearance, they are capable of galloping at speeds of up to 19 miles per hour on land.
Using Hippopotamus and Plural of Hippopotamus
When writing about hippopotamuses, it’s important to know when to use the singular form of the word and when to use the plural form. The singular form of the word is “hippopotamus,” while the plural forms are “hippopotamuses” or “hippopotami.”
You should use the singular form of the word when referring to a single hippopotamus. For example, “You saw a hippopotamus at the zoo yesterday.”
On the other hand, you should use the plural form of the word when referring to more than one hippopotamus. For example, “You saw several hippopotamuses at the zoo yesterday.”
It’s worth noting that both “hippopotamuses” and “hippopotami” are correct plurals for the word “hippopotamus.” However, “hippopotamuses” is more commonly used in modern English.
In addition to the plural forms of the word, there are other related terms that you may encounter when writing about hippopotamuses. Here are a few examples:
- Hippopotamidae:This is the scientific name for the family of mammals that includes hippopotamuses.
- Hippopotamine:This is a term that refers to the chemical compounds found in hippopotamus urine.
- Hippopotamology:This is a term that refers to the study of hippopotamuses.
Hippopotamus and Plural of Hippopotamus: Example Sentences
When it comes to the plural of “hippopotamus,” there are a few options. The most common plural form is “hippopotamuses,” but “hippopotami” is also acceptable. Here are some examples of how to use “hippopotamus” and its plural forms in sentences:
- You can see the hippopotamus at the zoo. (singular)
- The hippopotamus is one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. (singular)
- The hippopotamuses were wallowing in the mud. (plural)
- The hippopotamuses were fighting over territory. (plural)
- The hippopotami were grazing on the riverbank. (plural)
As you can see, the context of the sentence will determine whether you should use the singular or plural form of “hippopotamus.” In general, if you are referring to a single animal, use the singular form. If you are referring to multiple animals, use the plural form.
It’s worth noting that “hippos” is also a common shorthand for “hippopotamuses,” but it’s less formal and should be avoided in academic or professional writing.
Plural Noun Rules For Regular Nouns
Regular nouns are those that form their plurals by adding a suffix, usually “-s” or “-es,” to the singular form. Here are the rules to keep in mind:
- For most singular nouns, simply add “-s” to the end of the word to form the plural. For example, “book” becomes “books,” “car” becomes “cars,” and “desk” becomes “desks.”
- If the singular noun ends in “-s,” “-x,” “-z,” “-ch,” or “-sh,” add “-es” to form the plural. For example, “bus” becomes “buses,” “box” becomes “boxes,” “buzz” becomes “buzzes,” “church” becomes “churches,” and “dish” becomes “dishes.”
- If the singular noun ends in a consonant plus “-y,” change the “-y” to “-ies” to form the plural. For example, “baby” becomes “babies,” “city” becomes “cities,” and “party” becomes “parties.”
- If the singular noun ends in a vowel plus “-y,” simply add “-s” to form the plural. For example, “boy” becomes “boys,” “day” becomes “days,” and “key” becomes “keys.”
- If the singular noun ends in “-f” or “-fe,” change the “-f” or “-fe” to “-ves” to form the plural. For example, “knife” becomes “knives,” “life” becomes “lives,” and “wolf” becomes “wolves.”
It’s important to note that there are some exceptions to these rules, and some nouns have irregular plural forms. However, following these basic rules will help you form the plural of most regular nouns correctly.
Plural Noun Rules For Irregular Nouns
List of Common Irregular Plural Nouns
Here is a list of some common irregular plural nouns that you should know:
Nouns That End in Us
Nouns that end in -us usually have a plural form that ends in -i. For example, the plural of “cactus” is “cacti,” and the plural of “fungus” is “fungi.”
Nouns That End in Is
Nouns that end in -is usually have a plural form that ends in -es. For example, the plural of “analysis” is “analyses,” and the plural of “crisis” is “crises.”
Nouns That End in On and Um
Nouns that end in -on or -um usually have a plural form that ends in -a. For example, the plural of “criterion” is “criteria,” and the plural of “datum” is “data.”
Plurals That Are the Same as Singulars
Some nouns have the same form for both the singular and plural. For example, the word “sheep” is both singular and plural. The same is true for “deer” and “moose.”
Remember that irregular plural nouns do not follow the standard rules for creating plural nouns. With practice, you can master these rules and improve your English grammar skills.
Collective Nouns and List
Collective nouns are words that refer to groups of people, animals, or things as a single entity. They can be tricky to use because they can be treated as either singular or plural, depending on the context. Here are some rules to keep in mind when using collective nouns:
- When the group is acting as a unit, use a singular verb. For example: “The committee is meeting today.”
- When the group is acting as individuals, use a plural verb. For example: “The committee are divided in their opinions.”
Here are some examples of common collective nouns:
| Collective Noun | Definition |
|---|---|
| Audience | A group of people who are watching or listening to a performance or presentation |
| Team | A group of people who work together to achieve a common goal |
| Family | A group of people who are related to each other |
| Herd | A group of animals, especially cows, sheep, or deer |
| Fleet | A group of vehicles, especially ships or aircraft |
Words That Look Like Plural Nouns but Are Singular Nouns
In English, there are some words that look like plural nouns but are actually singular nouns. These words can be confusing for non-native speakers, so it’s important to understand their correct usage. Here are some examples:
- News: This word is always singular, even though it ends in -s. You should say “the news is” instead of “the news are.”
- Mathematics: This word is also singular, even though it ends in -s. You should say “mathematics is” instead of “mathematics are.”
- Physics: Similar to mathematics, physics is also a singular noun that ends in -s.
- Politics: This word is singular when referring to the field of politics as a whole. For example, “politics is a dirty business.” However, it can be plural when referring to specific political parties or groups. For example, “the politics of the Republican Party are controversial.”
- Measles: This is a disease that is always singular, even though it ends in -s. You should say “he has measles” instead of “he has measleses.”
- Species: This word is always singular, even though it refers to multiple types of animals or plants. For example, “the species is endangered” is correct, while “the species are endangered” is not.
- Athletics: This word is singular when referring to the field of athletics as a whole. For example, “athletics is a popular sport.” However, it can be plural when referring to specific events or competitions. For example, “the athletics at the Olympics were intense.”
Common Mistakes with Plural Nouns
Plural nouns can be tricky, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake 1: Adding an apostrophe
One of the most common mistakes people make with plural nouns is adding an apostrophe. Remember, apostrophes are used to show possession, not to make a noun plural. For example, “The dog’s toy” shows possession, while “The dog’s played in the park” is incorrect.
Mistake 2: Using singular nouns as plural
Another common mistake is using singular nouns as plural. For example, “I have two dog” is incorrect. The correct sentence is “I have two dogs.” Make sure to use the correct plural form of the noun.
Mistake 3: Irregular plurals
Some nouns have irregular plural forms that don’t follow the usual rules. For example, “child” becomes “children,” “tooth” becomes “teeth,” and “foot” becomes “feet.” Make sure to memorize irregular plural forms to avoid mistakes.
Mistake 4: Countable vs. uncountable nouns
Remember that not all nouns can be made plural. Uncountable nouns, such as “water” or “rice,” do not have a plural form. Countable nouns, such as “chair” or “book,” can be made plural by adding an “s” or “es” at the end.
Mistake 5: Forgetting to pluralize adjectives
When using adjectives to describe plural nouns, make sure to pluralize the adjective as well. For example, “The big dog” becomes “The big dogs.” Don’t forget to make the adjective agree with the noun in number.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can use plural nouns with confidence and clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural form of ‘hippopotamus’?
The plural form of ‘hippopotamus’ is ‘hippopotamuses’ or ‘hippopotami’.
How do you make the noun ‘hippopotamus’ plural?
To make the noun ‘hippopotamus’ plural, you can add either ‘es’ or ‘i’ at the end of the word. Both ‘hippopotamuses’ and ‘hippopotami’ are correct.
What is the correct way to pluralize ‘hippopotamus’?
Both ‘hippopotamuses’ and ‘hippopotami’ are correct ways to pluralize ‘hippopotamus’. It depends on personal preference and the context in which the word is being used.
What is the plural possessive of hippopotamus?
The plural possessive form of hippopotamus is “hippopotamuses’.” This is used to show that something belongs to a group of hippopotamuses.
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