The word penny is small in value but big in confusion! When you talk about more than one, should you say pennies or pence? Both forms exist — but they aren’t used the same way. This article explains the correct plural of penny, the difference between pennies and pence, and how to use each in modern English naturally.
Definition and Plural of Penny
What Does “Penny” Mean?
A penny is a small coin and a unit of currency. It’s used in different ways depending on the country:
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In the United States, a penny equals one cent (1¢).
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In the United Kingdom, a penny is 1/100 of a pound (£0.01).
Definition:
- Penny = the smallest unit of money in the US or UK currency system.
Examples:
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I found a penny on the sidewalk.
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A single penny won’t buy much these days.
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She dropped a penny into the wishing well.
What Is the Plural of “Penny”?
The plural of penny can be pennies or pence, depending on the meaning and context.
| Singular | Plural (Count) | Plural (Value) |
|---|---|---|
| penny | pennies | pence |
Both are correct, but they are not interchangeable.
Pronunciation Guide
| Word | IPA Pronunciation | How It Sounds |
|---|---|---|
| penny | /ˈpɛni/ | “PEH-nee” |
| pennies | /ˈpɛniz/ | “PEH-neez” |
| pence | /pɛns/ | “PENS” |
When to Use “Pennies”
The word pennies is used when you are counting individual coins or referring to specific coins — not their total value.
Use “pennies” when:
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Talking about individual coins.
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Emphasizing the number or appearance of coins.
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Referring to coins themselves, not money in general.
Examples:
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I have five shiny pennies in my pocket.
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The charity box is full of old pennies.
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He collected rare pennies from the 19th century.
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She dropped two pennies into the fountain.
When to Use “Pence”
The word pence is used when you are talking about the total amount of money, especially in British English.
Use “pence” when:
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Referring to value or price.
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Talking about money in general, not the coins themselves.
Examples:
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This chocolate bar costs fifty pence.
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He gave me twenty pence for the phone box.
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A bus ticket costs seventy-five pence.
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You’ll need ninety pence for the parking meter.
Examples in Sentences
Singular: “Penny”
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A single penny won’t buy anything today.
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The coin dropped into the well with a penny splash.
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I saved every penny I earned from chores.
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A penny for your thoughts?
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She found a lucky penny on the ground.
Plural: “Pennies”
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He saved all the pennies he found for a year.
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The kids counted fifty pennies in the jar.
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These old pennies are worth a lot to collectors.
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She lined up shiny pennies on the table.
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A few pennies rolled off the counter.
Plural: “Pence”
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The ticket costs thirty pence.
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You’ll need fifty pence to make a phone call.
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Bread used to cost just ten pence in the past.
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They raised over a hundred pence for charity.
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That’s not even worth five pence today.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with penny, pennies, or pence.
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I found three ______ under the sofa.
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This candy costs fifty ______.
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She dropped a shiny ______ into the fountain.
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The jar is full of old ______.
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The ticket costs twenty ______.
Answer:
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pennies
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pence
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penny
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pennies
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pence
Exercise 2: Choose the correct sentence.
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a) The coffee costs two pence. ✅
b) The coffee costs two pennies. -
a) I saved all my pennies in a jar. ✅
b) I saved all my pence in a jar. -
a) A single penny won’t make you rich. ✅
b) A single pennies won’t make you rich. -
a) She found a few pennies on the street. ✅
b) She found a few pence on the street. -
a) This meal costs thirty pence. ✅
b) This meal costs thirty pennies.