Guidelines To Unusual Plural Forms

Question 1

If the singular term ends in the suffix -a, the plural is usually formed by changing the ending to -ae

Answer 1

Ex 1:
singular: bursa
Plural: bursae
Ex 2:
Singular: vertebra
Plural: vertebrae

Question 2

If the singular term ends in the suffix -ex or -ix, the plural is usually formed by changing the endings to -ices

Answer 2

Ex 1:
Singular: appendix
Plural: appendices
Ex 2:
Singular: index
Plural: indices

Question 3

If the singular term ends in the suffix -is, the plural is usually formed by changing the ending to -es.

Answer 3

Ex 1:
Singular: diagnosis
Plural: diagnoses
Ex 2:
Singular: metastasis
Plural:metastases

Question 4

If the singular term ends in the suffix -itis, the plural is usually formed by changing the -is ending to -ides.

Answer 4

Ex 1:
Singular: arthritis
Plural: arthritides
Ex 2:
Singular:meningitis
Plural: meningitides

Question 5

If the singular term ends in the suffix -nx, the plural is usually formed by changing the -x ending to -ges

Answer 5

Ex 1:
Singular: phalanx
Plural: phalanges
Ex 2:
Singular: meninx
Plural: meninges

Question 6

If the singular term ends in the suffix -on, the plural is usually formed by changing the ending to -a

Answer 6

Ex 1:
Singular: criterion
Plural: criteria
Ex 2:
Singular: ganglion
Plural: ganglia

Question 7

If the singular term ends in the suffix -um, the plural is usually formed by changing the ending to -a

Answer 7

Ex 1:
Singular: diverticulum
Plural: diverticula
Ex 2:
Singular : ovum
Plural: ova

Question 8

If the singular term ends in the suffix -us, the plural is usually formed by changing the ending to -i

Answer 8

Ex 1:
Singular:alveolus
Plural: alveoli
Ex 2:
Singular:malleolus
Plural: malleoli