23 words and phrases with odd plural forms
These terms seemingly defy English rules of spelling.
The rules of English spelling can be baffling.
Writers and editors see it daily. I recently had to check the spelling of “prerogative” because it couldn’t possibly be spelled “prerogative” (it is).
One area of spelling that is particularly challenging: finding correct plural forms. They can trip writers up, because they’re difficult to spell and difficult to pronounce.
Below are 23 tricky plurals:
1. antennae
2. asterisks
3. attorneys general
4. axes (plural of axis)
5. bases (plural of basis)
6. courts-martial
7. culs-de-sac
8. diagnoses
9. dos and don’ts
10. emphases
11. hippopotami
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