The word mantis describes a fascinating insect — but what’s its plural form? Should you say mantises or mantes? Since it comes from Greek, both forms exist, but they’re used differently. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right one.
Definition and Plural of Praying Mantis
What Does “Mantis” Mean?
The word mantis refers to a type of predatory insect known for its long front legs held together in a prayer-like position — hence the nickname “praying mantis.”
Definition:
- Mantis = a long, thin insect that feeds on other insects and often looks like it’s praying.
Examples:
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A mantis waited quietly on a leaf.
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The mantis turned its head as if it were watching me.
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Scientists studied the hunting behavior of a mantis.
What Is the Plural of “Mantis”?
✅ The correct plural of mantis can be mantises or mantes.
| Singular | Plural (Common) | Plural (Scientific/Greek) |
|---|---|---|
| mantis | mantises | mantes |
Both forms are grammatically correct — but they are used differently in practice.
Pronunciation Guide
| Word | IPA Pronunciation | How It Sounds |
|---|---|---|
| mantis | /ˈmæn.tɪs/ | “MAN-tis” |
| mantises | /ˈmæn.tɪ.sɪz/ | “MAN-tih-siz” |
| mantes | /ˈmæn.tiːz/ | “MAN-teez” |
When to Use “Mantises”
The plural mantises is the most common and widely accepted form in modern English. You’ll find it in everyday conversation, schoolbooks, and even most scientific articles written in English.
Examples:
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There are many mantises in tropical regions.
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The garden is full of green mantises during summer.
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Scientists observed how mantises hunt their prey.
When to Use “Mantes”
The plural mantes is less common and more formal. It comes directly from the original Greek plural form. You might see it in scientific papers or older zoological texts.
Examples:
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Several mantes species were collected from Africa.
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Researchers compared different mantes found in Southeast Asia.
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The genus Mantis includes several distinct mantes.
Examples in Sentences
Singular: “Mantis”
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The mantis stayed perfectly still before catching its prey.
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A mantis can turn its head to look around — very unusual for an insect.
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I found a mantis on my window yesterday.
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The mantis uses camouflage to blend into leaves.
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A mantis is a symbol of patience in some cultures.
Plural: “Mantises”
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Several mantises live among the garden flowers.
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The students released the mantises back into the wild after observation.
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The mantises attacked smaller insects with lightning speed.
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We spotted three mantises sitting on the same branch.
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Tropical forests are home to many species of mantises.
Plural: “Mantes”
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Scientists collected various mantes for classification.
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The genus Mantis contains about 2,400 species of mantes.
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Some mantes are brightly colored to warn predators.
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Researchers compared different mantes from Asia and Africa.
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These mantes show fascinating mating behavior.
“Mantis” in Everyday English
The mantis is not just a fascinating insect — it’s also part of culture, symbolism, and idioms in some regions:
| Phrase | Meaning / Context | Example |
|---|---|---|
| praying mantis | the common name for the species | A praying mantis was sitting on the fence. |
| mantis shrimp | a colorful marine crustacean (not an actual mantis) | The mantis shrimp has extremely strong claws. |
| patience of a mantis | refers to someone who waits quietly and calmly | She observed her surroundings with the patience of a mantis. |
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with mantis, mantises, or mantes.
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The ______ is waiting to catch its prey.
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We saw two green ______ in the garden.
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Researchers discovered several new ______ species in Africa.
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The ______ can rotate its head nearly 180 degrees.
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In the tropical forest, many ______ live among the flowers.
Answer:
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mantis
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mantises
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mantes
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mantis
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mantises
Exercise 2: Choose the correct sentence.
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a) A mantis eats small insects. ✅
b) A mantises eats small insects. -
a) The students studied five mantises under a microscope. ✅
b) The students studied five mantis under a microscope. -
a) The scientist observed two mantes of different species. ✅
b) The scientist observed two mantiseses of different species. -
a) One mantis can hide easily in grass. ✅
b) One mantises can hide easily in grass. -
a) There are many mantises in warm regions. ✅
b) There are many mantis in warm regions.