plural

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plural" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the grammatical form that denotes more than one person, animal, thing, or concept. Example: "In English, the plural of 'child' is 'children'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furnivall's original description of the plural society is very different from the way "pluralism" has come to be understood in the West.

The Economist

Meanwhile Mrs Prada – the living, breathing personification of the word zeitgeist – sent out invitations to view her new collections (notice the plural).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This cottage (the owner is planning to build more, hence the plural name) is a few steps from the beach, with a fantastic, sweeping view of the Caribbean from its elevated deck.

The Guardian - Travel

And that makes you (plural) fellow travellers of the fanatics.

The Guardian - Books

Though the novel begins in the plural, as "we" are summoned from the harvest by ominous smoke over the manor house, Walter quickly establishes his individual voice.

The Guardian - Books

Before you (plural, hopefully) dismiss this as a #middleclassproblem, let me assure you that it is not.

The Guardian

The formerly occupying coalition which constructed that authority are in no position – even if they had the ability – to replace it with something plural and democratic.

The Guardian - Opinion

No 99 on my list of "things that shouldn't bother me, but they do" is the fact that the English language has no second person plural pronoun (SPPP) and that "you" is used interchangeably.

The Guardian

She has embraced the huge changes in the industry with creativity and relish whilst bringing with her a deep commitment to the Guardian's traditions of plural, liberal journalism.

The Guardian

That's weak prices plural: in commodities as well as in Glasenberg's stake.

The Guardian - Business

Steven McPhee Researchers knew the very basics of lesula, whose name is both singular and plural like 'sheep' or 'deer.' It was clearly a guenon monkey (in the genus Cercopithecus), but distinguished by large eye sockets, distinct vocalisations, and some unusual behaviours.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing societies, use "plural" to denote the inclusion and co-existence of diverse groups.

Common error

Avoid using "plural" when you actually mean "pluralistic". "Plural" refers to the state of being more than one, while "pluralistic" describes a society with diverse groups and opinions.

Linguistic Context

The word "plural" functions primarily as a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it refers to the plural form of a word. As an adjective, it describes something consisting of or containing more than one. Ludwig confirms the standard grammatical use of "plural".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "plural" is commonly used to indicate multiplicity in both grammatical structure and societal composition. Ludwig's analysis and examples confirm its established usage and grammatical correctness. It functions as both a noun and an adjective, conveying the concept of "more than one". As confirmed by Ludwig, its neutral register makes it appropriate across a variety of formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, academic, and general discourse, while synonyms like "multiple" and "several" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. Be mindful of its distinct meaning from "pluralistic", which describes societal diversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pluralistic

Emphasizes the coexistence and acceptance of different groups or viewpoints within a society.

multiple

Indicates a quantity of more than one, focusing on the numerical aspect.

several

Refers to more than two but not a large number, implying a limited quantity.

various

Highlights the diversity and variety within a group or set.

manifold

Suggests numerous and varied aspects or elements, often emphasizing complexity.

composite

Refers to something made up of multiple distinct parts or elements.

collective

Focuses on a group as a whole, implying shared characteristics or actions.

compound

Indicates something formed by combining two or more elements.

mixed

Suggests a combination of different types or qualities.

complex

Highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of something.

FAQs

How is "plural" used in grammar?

In grammar, "plural" refers to the form of a word that indicates more than one. For example, "cats" is the plural of "cat".

What is a "plural society"?

A "plural society" is one that includes a variety of cultural or social groups, often implying a mix of different ethnicities, religions, or viewpoints.

What are some synonyms for the word "plural"?

Alternatives to "plural" include "multiple", "several", or "various", depending on the specific context.

How does "plural" differ from "singular"?

"Plural" refers to more than one, while "singular" refers to one. These terms are opposites in terms of quantity or number.