Plural of Census: How to Use It Correctly in English Grammar

Definition and Plural of Census

A census is a count of the population, usually conducted by the government. It involves collecting information about individuals, such as age, gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as their living conditions, such as housing and employment status. The purpose of a census is to provide accurate and up-to-date information about the population, which can be used for a variety of purposes, including government planning and resource allocation.

Census data can also be used to study social and economic trends, track changes in population over time, and inform policy decisions. Census data is typically collected through questionnaires or interviews with individuals, and is usually conducted on a regular basis, such as every 10 years.

The plural of census is censuses. Despite its Latin origins, the English plural form of the word is censuses, not censi. The word census has been used in the English language since the 17th century, and it has always been pluralized as censuses.

Here is a table summarizing the definition and plural form of census:

When to Use Census and Plural of Census

When referring to a count or survey of a population, the word census is used in the singular form. For instance, “The government conducts a census every ten years.”

However, when referring to multiple counts or surveys of a population, the word census is used in the plural form, which is “censuses.” For example, The government conducts censuses every 10 years to gather data on the population.

It is crucial to note that the word “census” is considered a common noun. Therefore, to form the plural form of the word, you base it on the last letter or last two letters of the singular word form. In the case of “census,” the plural form is “censuses.”

Using the correct plural form of “census” is essential in writing and speaking. It helps to communicate effectively and avoid confusion. For instance, if you were to say, “The government conducts multiple census,” it would be grammatically incorrect. Instead, you would say, “The government conducts multiple censuses.”

Examples of Census and Plural of Census in Sentences

To help you understand the usage of the word census and its plural form, here are some examples of the word used in sentences:

Examples of using “census” in sentences: 

• The government conducts a census every ten years to count the population of the country.
• The census data shows that the population of the city has increased by 10% in the last decade.
• The census taker visited every household in the neighborhood to collect information.
• The census bureau is responsible for collecting and analyzing data from the census.

Examples of using the plural of “census” in sentences: 

• The censuses conducted in the 20th century were instrumental in shaping public policy.
• The censuses conducted in the United States are mandated by the Constitution and are used to determine representation in Congress.
• International organizations such as the United Nations use data from censuses to monitor global population trends and plan development programs.
• The methods used to conduct censuses have evolved over time, from paper questionnaires to online surveys and data mining techniques.
• The accuracy and completeness of censuses are important for ensuring that governments and organizations can make informed decisions based on reliable data.

As you can see, the word census is typically used to refer to an official count of the population or other statistical information. The plural form of the word is censuses, which is used when referring to multiple counts or surveys.

Plural Noun Rules for Regular Nouns

When it comes to forming the plural of regular nouns, there are a few rules to keep in mind. Most singular nouns can be made plural by adding a suffix, usually -s or -es. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• If the singular noun ends in a consonant followed by -y, change the -y to -ies to form the plural. For example, “company” becomes “companies” and “baby” becomes “babies”.
• If the singular noun ends in -o, add -es to form the plural. For example, “potato” becomes “potatoes” and “hero” becomes “heroes”.
• If the singular noun ends in a vowel followed by -o, simply add -s to form the plural. For example, “studio” becomes “studios” and “zoo” becomes “zoos”.
• If the singular noun ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, add -es to form the plural. For example, “bus” becomes “buses” and “box” becomes “boxes”.
• If the singular noun ends in a consonant followed by -f or -fe, change the -f or -fe to -ves to form the plural. For example, “knife” becomes “knives” and “life” becomes “lives”.
• If the singular noun ends in a vowel followed by -f or -fe, simply add -s to form the plural. For example, “roof” becomes “roofs” and “belief” becomes “beliefs”.

It’s important to note that there are some exceptions to these rules, and irregular nouns do not follow these patterns. However, by following these guidelines, you can form the plural of most regular nouns with ease.

Plural Noun Rules for Irregular Nouns

When it comes to pluralizing irregular nouns, the rules can be a bit tricky. Unlike regular nouns, which simply add an “s” or “es” to the end to indicate plurality, irregular nouns require different rules based on their spelling and origin. Here are some common rules to keep in mind when dealing with irregular plural nouns.

List of Common Irregular Plural Nouns

First and foremost, it’s important to be familiar with the most common irregular plural nouns. Here are a few examples:

• Child/Children
• Foot/Feet
• Tooth/Teeth
• Mouse/Mice
• Goose/Geese
• Man/Men
• Woman/Women

Nouns That End in Us

Nouns that end in “us” often have a plural form that ends in “i.” For example:

• Cactus/Cacti
• Fungus/Fungi
• Focus/Foci
• Alumnus/Alumni
• Syllabus/Syllabi

Nouns That End in Is

Nouns that end in “is” often have a plural form that ends in “es.” For example:

• Analysis/Analyses
• Basis/Bases
• Crisis/Crises
• Thesis/Theses
• Oasis/Oases

Nouns That End in On and Um

Nouns that end in “on” or “um” often have a plural form that ends in “a.” For example:

• Criterion/Criteria
• Phenomenon/Phenomena
• Bacterium/Bacteria
• Datum/Data

Plurals That Are the Same as Singulars

Finally, some irregular nouns have the same plural form as their singular form. For example:

• Deer/Deer
• Sheep/Sheep
• Fish/Fish
• Series/Series

Words That Look Like Plural Nouns but Are Singular Nouns

English has many words that look like plural nouns but are actually singular nouns. Here are some examples:

• News: Although “news” ends in “s,” it is a singular noun. For example, “The news is reporting on the hurricane.”
• Mathematics: Despite the “s” at the end, “mathematics” is a singular noun. For example, “Mathematics is my favorite subject.”
• Politics: “Politics” is also a singular noun, despite the “s” at the end. For example, “Politics can be a messy business.”

In addition to these examples, there are also some words that can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. These include:

• Data: “Data” can be either singular or plural, depending on how it is used. For example, “This data set is interesting” (singular) or “These data show an interesting trend” (plural).
• Criteria: Similarly, “criteria” can be either singular or plural. For example, “The criteria for admission are strict” (plural) or “This is the criteria we will use to evaluate the candidates” (singular).

Plural Nouns vs. Possessive Nouns

When it comes to grammar, understanding the difference between plural and possessive nouns is essential. Plural nouns are used when referring to more than one person, place, or thing, while possessive nouns show ownership or a direct connection.

To form the plural of most nouns, you add an “s” at the end of the word. For example, “book” becomes “books” and “car” becomes “cars.” However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as “child” becoming “children” and “goose” becoming “geese.”

Possessive nouns, on the other hand, are formed by adding an apostrophe and an “s” to the end of the word. For example, “the dog’s bone” shows that the bone belongs to the dog.

It’s important to note that when you have a plural noun that already ends in “s,” you only need to add an apostrophe to make it possessive. For example, “the students’ books” shows that the books belong to the students.

Confusion can arise when dealing with plural possessive nouns. In this case, you add an apostrophe after the “s” at the end of the plural noun. For example, “the dogs’ bones” shows that the bones belong to multiple dogs.

In summary, understanding the difference between plural and possessive nouns is crucial for clear and effective communication. By following the rules outlined above, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and easy to understand.

Common Mistakes with Plural Nouns

When it comes to forming the plural of nouns, there are some common mistakes that people make. These mistakes can be confusing, especially when it comes to irregular nouns like “census.” Here are some of the most common mistakes people make with plural nouns:

Mistake #1: Adding “s” to Irregular Nouns

Some nouns have irregular plural forms that do not follow the typical pattern of adding “s” to the end. For example, the plural of “child” is “children,” not “childs.” Similarly, the plural of “goose” is “geese,” not “gooses.” It’s important to learn the irregular plural forms of nouns to avoid making this mistake.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Add “s” to Regular Nouns

On the other hand, some people forget to add “s” to regular nouns when forming the plural. For example, the plural of “book” is “books,” not “book.” It’s important to remember to add the “s” to the end of regular nouns to form the plural.

Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Plural Form

Some nouns have multiple plural forms, and it’s important to use the correct one. For example, the plural of “census” is “censuses,” not “censi.” Using the wrong plural form can make your writing sound awkward or confusing.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can form plural nouns correctly and make your writing clearer and easier to understand.

The plural of octopus is octopuses or octopi. Both are considered correct, but octopuses is more commonly used.

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The plural of moose is moose. The word does not change in the plural form.

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The US Census is a survey conducted every ten years by the United States Census Bureau. It collects data on the population and housing of the country.

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The plural of mango is mangoes. This is the most commonly used plural form.

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In a sentence, census refers to an official count or survey of a population, usually for statistical purposes.

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Census is a noun. It refers to a count or survey of a population. It is not an adjective.

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Remember to use the singular form of a noun when referring to one item, and the plural form when referring to more than one. Understanding the plural forms of nouns is important for clear communication in English.

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