The plural of mouse is one of the more difficult topics for learners of English. While some people may think that the plural of mouse is “mouses,” others argue that it is not. In this article, we will explore the correct plural of mouse and examples of its usage in sentences.
Plural of Mouse
Definition and Plural of Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal with a pointed snout, small ears, elongated body, and slender tail. They are known for their ability to scurry quickly and their tendency to be timid. Mice are found all over the world and are known to be carriers of diseases. In addition to the animal, the term “mouse” also refers to a small mobile manual device that controls movement of the cursor and selection of functions on a computer display.
The plural of “mouse” is “mice.” This is an example of an irregular plural noun, meaning it does not follow the typical pattern of adding an “s” to the end of the word. The word “mouse” has its origins in Old English, where it was spelled “mūs.” It is likely that the irregular plural form “mice” developed because it was already in use in Old English when the word was first borrowed into the language.
It is important to note that the plural form of “mouse” is not “mouses,” despite being a common mistake. “Mouses” is sometimes used informally to refer to multiple computer mice, but it is not considered correct grammar.
When to Use Mouse and Its Plural Form
The plural of “mouse” is “mice.” This is an irregular plural, as it does not follow the common rule of adding -s or -es to the end of a singular noun to make it plural. In general, when a noun ends in -s, -x, -z, -sh, -ch or -o, we add -es to make it plural.
When referring to the small device used to guide the cursor on a computer display, the plural form of “mouse” can be either “computer mice” or “computer mouses.” Many dictionaries endorse both forms, and few usage and style guides offer a definitive preference. However, the Associated Press (AP) style guide recommends using “mice” as the plural form.
It’s important to use the correct plural form of “mouse” to avoid confusion. For example, if someone says “I have two mice,” they could be referring to either two computer mice or two rodents. If the context is unclear, it’s best to ask for clarification.
Here are some examples of how to use “mouse” and its plural form correctly:
- She uses a wireless mouse to control her computer.
- The laboratory has dozens of mice for research purposes.
- He accidentally stepped on a mouse in his garage.
- The company ordered a shipment of computer mice for their employees.
Examples of Mouse and Its Plural Form in Sentences
The plural form of the word “mouse” is “mice.” Here are some examples of how to use “mouse” and “mice” correctly in sentences:
- “We spotted a mouse in the kitchen last night.”
- “The cat caught two mice in the backyard.”
- “I need to buy a new computer mouse for my laptop.”
- “The computer mice in the lab are all broken.”
- “The museum has a collection of antique mice traps.”
As you can see from these examples, “mouse” is used to refer to a single rodent, while “mice” is used to refer to more than one. The same rule applies to the term “computer mouse” as well.
It’s important to use the correct plural form of “mouse” in order to avoid confusion and ensure that your writing is grammatically correct. While some people may use the term “mouses” as a plural form of “mouse,” this is not considered standard English and should be avoided.
In addition, it’s worth noting that the plural form of “mouse” is irregular, meaning that it doesn’t follow the standard rules for forming plurals in English. Instead of adding an “s” to the end of the word, as you would with most nouns, you need to change the “o” to an “i” and add “es” to form the plural “mice.”
Plural Noun Rules for Regular Nouns
In English, plural nouns are used to refer to more than one person, place, or thing. The rules for creating plural nouns from regular nouns are generally straightforward.
Adding -s or -es
The most common way to form a plural noun is to add -s or -es to the end of the singular noun. The rule is as follows:
- For most singular nouns, add -s to the end to form the plural.
- For singular nouns that end in -s, -x, -z, -ch, or -sh, add -es to the end to form the plural.
For example:
| Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
|---|---|
| book | books |
| cat | cats |
| box | boxes |
| buzz | buzzes |
| church | churches |
| dish | dishes |
Changing -y to -ies
For singular nouns that end in -y preceded by a consonant, change the -y to -ies to form the plural. For example:
| Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
|---|---|
| baby | babies |
| city | cities |
| fly | flies |
Irregular Plurals
Some nouns have irregular plural forms that do not follow the rules above. For example:
| Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
|---|---|
| mouse | mice |
| child | children |
| tooth | teeth |
| foot | feet |
It is important to memorize these irregular plurals, as they do not follow any consistent pattern.
Plural Noun Rules for Irregular Nouns
When it comes to forming the plural of nouns, most English nouns follow a few simple rules. However, there are some nouns that are irregular and do not follow these rules. Here are some common rules for forming irregular plurals:
List of Common Irregular Plural Nouns
There are many irregular plural nouns in English, but some are more common than others. Here are some of the most common irregular plurals:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| child | children |
| foot | feet |
| goose | geese |
| man | men |
| mouse | mice |
| tooth | teeth |
| woman | women |
Nouns That End in Us
Nouns that end in -us often have irregular plurals that end in -i. Here are some examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| cactus | cacti |
| focus | foci |
| nucleus | nuclei |
| radius | radii |
Nouns That End in Is
Nouns that end in -is often have irregular plurals that end in -es. Here are some examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| analysis | analyses |
| basis | bases |
| crisis | crises |
| thesis | theses |
Nouns That End in On
Nouns that end in -on often have irregular plurals that end in -a. Here are some examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| criterion | criteria |
| phenomenon | phenomena |
Plurals That Are the Same as Singulars
Some nouns have the same form for both singular and plural. Here are some examples:
| Singular/Plural |
|---|
| deer |
| fish |
| sheep |
Words That Look Like Plural Nouns but Are Singular Nouns
Finally, there are some nouns that look like plural nouns but are actually singular. Here are some examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| news | – |
| politics | – |
| physics | – |
Plural Nouns vs. Possessive Nouns
When it comes to the plural of “mouse,” the correct form is “mice.” However, when it comes to the possessive form of “mice,” things can get a bit tricky. In general, forming the possessive of a plural noun involves adding an apostrophe after the final “s” of the noun. However, there are some exceptions, and “mice” happens to be one of them.
To form the possessive of “mice,” you should add an apostrophe and an “s” after the word “mice.” For example, “the cage of the mice” becomes “the mice’s cage.” This may seem counterintuitive, as it appears to be adding an extra “s” to a word that already ends in “s.” However, this is the correct way to form the possessive of “mice.”
It is important to note that the rules for forming the possessive of plural nouns can vary depending on the specific noun. Some plural nouns that end in “s” only require an apostrophe, while others require an apostrophe and an “s.” For example, “dogs” becomes “dogs'” in the possessive form, while “children” becomes “children’s.”
In addition to forming the possessive of plural nouns, it is also important to distinguish between plural nouns and possessive nouns in general. Plural nouns refer to more than one of a particular noun, while possessive nouns indicate ownership or possession. For example, “mice” is a plural noun, while “the mice’s cage” is a possessive noun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural form of ‘louse’?
The plural form of ‘louse’ is ‘lice’. This is a common mistake as ‘louses’ is often used incorrectly as the plural form. However, ‘lice’ is the correct plural form of ‘louse’.
What is the plural form of ‘person’?
The plural form of ‘person’ is ‘people’. This is a commonly used plural form and is widely accepted. It is important to note that ‘persons’ is also a valid plural form, but it is not commonly used and is typically reserved for more formal or legal contexts.
How do I know if a noun is countable or uncountable?
Countable nouns refer to things that can be counted, such as “books” or “chairs”, while uncountable nouns refer to things that cannot be counted, such as “water” or “furniture”. Countable nouns typically have a plural form, while uncountable nouns do not.
Can proper nouns have plural forms?
Yes, proper nouns can have plural forms, but they are not always formed in the same way as common nouns. For example, the plural of “John” is “Johns”, while the plural of “Smith” is “Smiths”.
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