What is the plural of metropolis? Metropolis is a word that is commonly used in the English language to refer to a large and busy city. However, when it comes to using the plural form of this word, many English learners find themselves confused. In this article, we will explore the plural of metropolis and provide examples of its usage in sentences.
Plural of Metropolis
Definition and Plural of Metropolis
A metropolis is generally defined as a large and important city that serves as the center of a particular activity. It can also refer to the capital city of a state or country or the city of origin of a colony. The word “metropolis” comes from the Greek words “mētēr” (mother) and “pólis” (city), which translates to “mother city.”
The plural of metropolis is metropolises. Some might say the plural form of the word should be metropoles or metropoli, and it seems plausible why they think so. However, no reputable dictionary considers either the correct plural form of metropolis.
To form the plural of “metropolis,” you can base it on the last letter or last two letters of the singular word form. For example, you can say “There are multiple metropolises” or “I can see multiple metropolises.”
Examples of Metropolis and Plural of Metropolis in Sentences
When referring to a large and busy city, you might use the word “metropolis.” The plural form of “metropolis” is “metropolises.” Here are a few examples of how to use “metropolis” and “metropolises” in sentences:
- New York City is often referred to as the metropolis of the United States.
- She was captivated by the vibrant energy and skyscrapers of the metropolis.
- They explored the historical landmarks and attractions of the metropolis.
- The world’s largest metropolises are centers of global finance and commerce.
In addition to “metropolises,” there are other suggested plurals for “metropolis” such as “metropoli” and “metropolei,” but these are less commonly used in English.
Collocations and Phrases with Metropolis
Metropolis is a word that is often used in combination with other words to create phrases and collocations. These phrases are often used to describe the characteristics of a city or to compare different cities. Here are some common phrases and collocations with metropolis:
- Cultural Metropolis: A city that is known for its cultural offerings such as museums, theaters, and art galleries. Examples include New York City, Paris, and London.
- Financial Metropolis: A city that is known for its financial institutions and activities such as banks, stock markets, and investment firms. Examples include New York City, London, and Tokyo.
- Industrial Metropolis: A city that is known for its manufacturing and industrial activities such as factories and production facilities. Examples include Detroit, Manchester, and Shanghai.
- Modern Metropolis: A city that is known for its modern architecture, technology, and infrastructure. Examples include Dubai, Singapore, and Tokyo.
- Cosmopolitan Metropolis: A city that is known for its diversity and multiculturalism. Examples include New York City, London, and Toronto.
- Emerging Metropolis: A city that is rapidly growing and developing into a major urban center. Examples include Lagos, Mumbai, and Shenzhen.
In addition to these phrases, there are also common expressions that use the word metropolis:
- The heart of the metropolis: This expression refers to the central area of a city where most of the important buildings, institutions, and activities are located.
- Escape the metropolis: This expression refers to the desire to leave a busy and crowded city in order to find peace and quiet in a more rural or natural environment.
- The pulse of the metropolis: This expression refers to the energy and vitality of a city, often used to describe the bustling activity of a city center.
- The urban metropolis: This expression is used to emphasize the urban character of a city, as opposed to its rural surroundings.
Using these phrases and expressions can help you to describe the unique characteristics of different cities and to compare and contrast them with each other.
Plural Noun Rules for Regular Nouns
When it comes to making regular nouns plural, there are a few basic rules to follow. Most singular nouns can be made plural by adding the suffix -s or -es. Here are some specific rules to keep in mind:
- Add -s to the end of a word when making it plural. For example: book → books, cat → cats, dog → dogs.
- Add -es to the end of a word if its singular form ends in -s, -ss, -ch, -x, -sh, -o, or -z. For example: bus → buses, kiss → kisses, box → boxes, dish → dishes, potato → potatoes, buzz → buzzes.
- If a singular noun ends in a consonant + -y, change the -y to -i and add -es. For example: baby → babies, city → cities, party → parties.
- If a singular noun ends in a vowel + -y, simply add -s. For example: boy → boys, day → days, key → keys.
It’s important to note that there are some exceptions to these rules, as well as irregular plurals that don’t follow any specific pattern. Here are a few examples of irregular plurals:
- Child → children
- Mouse → mice
- Tooth → teeth
- Foot → feet
- Woman → women
When in doubt, consult a dictionary or style guide to ensure that you’re using the correct plural form for a particular noun. By following these basic rules, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.
Plural Noun Rules for Irregular Nouns
When it comes to forming the plural of irregular nouns, there are no hard and fast rules to follow. Unlike regular nouns, which usually just add “s” or “es” to the end of the word, irregular nouns can have completely different plural forms. However, there are some common patterns that can help you identify and form the plural of irregular nouns.
List of Common Irregular Plural Nouns
Here are some of the most common irregular plural nouns and their plural forms:
| Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
|---|---|
| Child | Children |
| Foot | Feet |
| Goose | Geese |
| Man | Men |
| Tooth | Teeth |
| Woman | Women |
Nouns That End in Us
If a noun ends in -us, the plural form is often -i. For example:
- cactus → cacti
- fungus → fungi
- nucleus → nuclei
- stimulus → stimuli
Nouns That End in Is
If a noun ends in -is, the plural form is often -es. For example:
- analysis → analyses
- basis → bases
- crisis → crises
- thesis → theses
Nouns That End in On and Um
If a noun ends in -on or -um, the plural form is often -a. For example:
- criterion → criteria
- phenomenon → phenomena
- bacterium → bacteria
- curriculum → curricula
Common Mistakes with Plural Nouns
Here are some common mistakes with plural nouns:
- Forgetting to add “-s” or “-es” to the end of a singular noun to form the plural. For example: “book” instead of “books” or “box” instead of “boxes.”
- Adding “-s” or “-es” to a noun that is already plural. For example: “childs” instead of “children” or “mouses” instead of “mice.”
- Confusing irregular plural nouns with regular plural nouns. For example: “sheeps” instead of “sheep” or “mouses” instead of “mice.”
- Using an apostrophe to form the plural of a noun. For example: “CD’s” instead of “CDs” or “book’s” instead of “books.”
- Using the wrong plural form for certain words. For example: “cactuses” instead of “cacti.”
- Using the singular form of a noun when referring to multiple instances of it. For example: “I have a fish” instead of “I have some fish.”
- Using the plural form of a noun when referring to a single instance of it. For example: “I have a furnitures” instead of “I have a piece of furniture.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural form of a large city like Metropolis?
The plural form of the word “metropolis” is “metropolises” or “metropoles.” Although some dictionaries suggest “metropoleis” as a plural form, it is not commonly used in modern English.
What are some synonyms for bustling metropolises?
Some synonyms for bustling metropolises include “city,” “urban center,” “megalopolis,” “cosmopolitan,” and “megacity.”
What is the difference between ‘metropolis’ and ‘city’ in terms of usage?
While “city” is a general term used to describe any urban area, “metropolis” specifically refers to a large and important city with a high population and economic significance. “Metropolis” may also imply cultural significance and infrastructure development.
What are some examples of ‘metropolis’?
Some examples of ‘metropolis’ include New York City, London, Tokyo, and Mumbai.
How do you pronounce ‘metropolises’?
The pronunciation of ‘metropolises’ is [muh-trop-uh-luh-seez].
What is the etymology of ‘metropolis’?
The word ‘metropolis’ comes from the Greek word ‘mētropolis’, which means ‘mother city’. This term was used to refer to the city-state that founded other colonies. The word ‘metropolis’ was later adopted into Latin and then into English.
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