When it comes to learning English grammar, knowing the plural forms of money is an essential aspect. Understanding the plural forms of money is not only important for non-native English speakers but also for native speakers who want to improve their grammar skills.
The plural of money can be a tricky topic to grasp for many learners. It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re not familiar with the rules. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the plural of money in English, common mistakes to avoid, and how to use them in different contexts. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the plural of money and how to use it correctly.
Plural of Money
Definition and Plural of Money
When we talk about money, we usually refer to it as a mass noun, which means that it doesn’t have a plural form. However, there are some scenarios where we can use the plural form of money.
According to Merriam-Webster, money can be pluralized as “moneys” or “monies,” with the latter being the more common spelling. This is especially true when we are referring to discrete sums of money obtained from a particular source or allocated to a particular cause. For example, “The organization received several monies from different donors.”
In law and accounting, money can also be a countable noun, and its plural is moneys or monies. However, outside of these contexts, it is generally treated as a mass noun.
It’s worth noting that the use of “moneys” or “monies” is not very common in everyday English. In most cases, we use the singular form of money to refer to both singular and plural amounts of money. For example, “I have a lot of money in my bank account” can refer to any amount of money, whether it’s a single dollar or millions of dollars.
Examples of Money and Plural of Money in Sentences
When it comes to talking about money, it’s important to use the correct form of the word depending on the context. Here are some examples of how to use money in sentences, including both the singular and plural forms:
- I need to withdraw some money from the bank.
- She has a lot of money saved up for retirement.
- The company donated a large sum of money to charity.
- The organization received multiple moneys from different donors to fund their project.
- The company raised significant monies through their initial public offering.
- The non-profit organization distributed the moneys they received to various charities.
- The government allocated monies to support small businesses affected by the pandemic.
- The university received moneys from a generous alumni donation to fund scholarships.
- The court ordered the defendant to repay the stolen monies to the victim.
As you can see, the plural form of money can either be moneys or monies. In general, when referring to different types or amounts of money, you would use the plural form. However, when referring to money as a collective concept, such as in the phrase “money talks,” you would use the singular form.
It’s worth noting that the use of the plural form moneys is more common in legal and financial contexts, while monies may be seen as archaic or overly formal in other situations. However, both forms are technically correct and can be used interchangeably depending on the writer’s preference.
Common Mistake when Using the Plural of Money
When it comes to using the plural form of money, there is one common mistake that many people make. This mistake is adding an apostrophe to the plural form of money, which is incorrect. The plural form of money is “monies,” not “money’s.” The apostrophe is only used to indicate possession or contraction, not plurality.
Another mistake that people make when using the plural form of money is treating it as a singular noun. While “money” is technically a mass noun and has no plural form, it can be used as a countable noun in specific contexts, such as law and accounting. In these contexts, the plural form of money is “moneys” or “monies.”
Collocations and Phrases with Money
When it comes to money, there are many collocations and phrases that you should know. Here are some common ones:
- A lot of money: This phrase is used to describe a large amount of money. For example, “He inherited a lot of money from his grandfather.”
- Borrow money: When you borrow money, you take money from someone with the intention of paying it back. For example, “I need to borrow some money to pay my rent this month.”
- Earned money: This phrase is used to describe money that you have earned through work or other means. For example, “I worked hard for my earned money, so I’m careful about how I spend it.”
- Easy money: This phrase is used to describe money that is earned quickly and with little effort. For example, “He thinks that playing the stock market is easy money, but it’s actually quite risky.”
- Dirty money: This phrase is used to describe money that has been obtained illegally or through unethical means. For example, “The police suspect that the businessman’s wealth is from dirty money.”
- Real money: This phrase is used to describe money that is genuine and not counterfeit. For example, “I was relieved to find out that the money I received was real money and not fake.”
- Plenty of money: This phrase is used to describe a situation where there is a large amount of money available. For example, “The company has plenty of money to invest in new projects.”
- Lost money: This phrase is used to describe money that has been misplaced or lost. For example, “I lost my wallet and all my money, so I had to cancel my plans for the weekend.”
- Stolen money: This phrase is used to describe money that has been taken without permission. For example, “The thief was caught with stolen money in his possession.”
- Spare money: This phrase is used to describe money that is available to spend after all necessary expenses have been paid. For example, “I don’t have much spare money this month, so I need to be careful about my spending.”
Plural Noun Rules for Irregular Nouns
When it comes to pluralizing irregular nouns, there are a few general rules to keep in mind. In this section, we’ll go over some common irregular plural noun patterns to help you understand how to form plurals for these tricky words.
List of Common Irregular Plural Nouns
Let’s start with a list of some of the most common irregular plural nouns:
- child – children
- foot – feet
- tooth – teeth
- mouse – mice
- goose – geese
- man – men
- woman – women
- person – people
- ox – oxen
- deer – deer
Nouns that End in “Us”
Nouns that end in -us often have an irregular plural form that ends in -i. Here are some examples:
- cactus – cacti
- fungus – fungi
- nucleus – nuclei
- radius – radii
Nouns that End in “Is”
Nouns that end in -is often have an irregular plural form that ends in -es. Here are some examples:
- analysis – analyses
- basis – bases
- crisis – crises
- thesis – theses
Nouns that End in “On” and “Um”
Nouns that end in -on or -um often have an irregular plural form that ends in -a. Here are some examples:
- phenomenon – phenomena
- criterion – criteria
- bacterium – bacteria
- curriculum – curricula
Nouns That Are Both Countable and Uncountable
When it comes to nouns, they can be classified as either countable or uncountable. However, some nouns can be both countable and uncountable, depending on the context in which they are used.
One such noun is “money.” While money is typically considered an uncountable noun, it can also be used as a countable noun in certain situations. For example, if you are referring to specific sums of money, you can use the plural form “moneys” or “monies.”
Another example of a noun that can be both countable and uncountable is “time.” While time is generally considered an uncountable noun, it can be used as a countable noun when referring to specific instances or periods of time. For instance, you could say “I have three hours of free time this afternoon.”
Other examples of nouns that can be both countable and uncountable include “water,” “paper,” “work,” and “hair.” In each case, the noun can be used as an uncountable noun to refer to a general concept or idea, or as a countable noun to refer to specific instances or quantities of the noun.
It is important to note that whether a noun is countable or uncountable can vary depending on the context in which it is used. Therefore, it is always important to consider the specific situation when determining whether a noun should be treated as countable or uncountable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural form of money?
The plural form of money is “monies.” This is the correct term to use when referring to multiple types of currency or funds.
Is ‘monies’ a correct plural form of money?
Yes, “monies” is a correct plural form of money. It is commonly used in legal and financial contexts.
Why do some people say ‘moneys’ instead of ‘money’?
Some people may use the term “moneys” instead of “money” when referring to multiple types of currency or funds. This usage is more common in legal and financial contexts.
Which is the correct term to use: ‘money’ or ‘monies’?
The correct term to use depends on the context in which the word is being used. In most cases, “money” is the correct term to use. However, in legal and financial contexts, “monies” may be more appropriate.
How is the plural form of money used in banking?
In banking, the plural form of money is commonly used when referring to multiple accounts or funds. For example, a bank may offer “investment monies” or “savings monies” to its customers.
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