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Plural of Syllabus: What’s the Right Way to Say It?

By: Author ESLBUZZ

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The word syllabus is common in schools and universities — but what’s its plural form? Should we say syllabuses or syllabi? In this short guide, you’ll learn both forms, their meanings, and how to use them correctly in sentences.

Plural of Syllabus

Definition and Plural of Syllabus

What Does “Syllabus” Mean?

A syllabus is a document or outline that describes what will be taught in a course, including topics, assignments, and exams.

Definition:

👉 Syllabus = a summary or plan of what a student will study in a course.

Examples:

  • The teacher gave us a syllabus on the first day.

  • Please read the syllabus carefully before class.

  • The syllabus includes weekly readings and deadlines.

What Is the Plural of “Syllabus”?

The word syllabus has two correct plural forms: syllabuses and syllabi.

Singular Plural (Modern English) Plural (Latin form)
syllabus syllabuses syllabi

✅ “Syllabuses” — most common in everyday and academic English.
✅ “Syllabi” — more formal, often used in academic writing or by universities.

Pronunciation Guide

Word IPA Pronunciation How It Sounds
syllabus /ˈsɪl.ə.bəs/ “SIL-uh-bus”
syllabuses /ˈsɪl.ə.bə.sɪz/ “SIL-uh-buh-siz”
syllabi /ˈsɪl.ə.baɪ/ “SIL-uh-bye”

How to Use Each Form

1. Syllabuses (Modern English)

This is the standard plural form used in schools, universities, and daily English.

Examples:

  • Teachers uploaded all course syllabuses online.

  • The department reviewed several syllabuses before the semester began.

  • Our professors updated their syllabuses for the new term.

2. Syllabi (Latin Form)

This form is derived from Latin and sounds slightly more formal. It’s often used in academic or institutional contexts.

Examples:

  • The university approved the new syllabi for the year.

  • Students received the course syllabi via email.

  • Professors discussed how to align their syllabi with the new curriculum.

Examples in Sentences

Singular: “Syllabus”

  1. Each syllabus lists the topics for the semester.

  2. The syllabus explains how grades are calculated.

  3. She designed a detailed syllabus for her English course.

  4. The syllabus helps students stay organized.

  5. Please download the syllabus from the school website.

Plural: “Syllabuses”

  1. Our teachers updated their syllabuses for next term.

  2. Students can find all syllabuses in the online portal.

  3. The dean reviewed the syllabuses before approval.

  4. We compared several syllabuses across different universities.

  5. New syllabuses were added for elective courses.

Plural: “Syllabi”

  1. The college committee finalized the syllabi last week.

  2. Professors shared their course syllabi with students.

  3. The syllabi cover similar themes but different readings.

  4. The department stores old syllabi in the archive.

  5. These syllabi reflect the updated curriculum.

Usage of Syllabus Plurals in Literature

In our analysis, we focus on the occurrence of the term’s plural forms within specific domains of literature.

Prevalence in Academic Texts

We find that in academic literature, particularly in the fields of education and curriculum studies, the use of syllabi is more frequent than syllabuses. This preference seems to stem from the academic inclination towards Latinized terms, which often appear more formal or traditional. For instance:

  • “Syllabi” appears in academic journals and textbooks, where precision and adherence to classical roots are often emphasized.
  • “Syllabuses”, while correct, is less commonly found and tends to appear in more modern or conversational academic writings.

Frequency in Educational Policy Documents

In the realm of educational policy documents, the term’s plural usage tends to be more varied. Our survey of these texts reveals:

  • “Syllabi” is used when referring to a collection of course outlines in higher education policy documents, possibly due to its academic tone.
  • “Syllabuses” is occasionally employed in K-12 educational materials, which may align with a movement towards more modern and accessible language.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with syllabus, syllabuses, or syllabi.

  1. The teacher handed out the course ______.

  2. All the updated ______ are available online.

  3. The university approved the new ______ for next semester.

  4. Each ______ includes exam dates and grading policies.

  5. Students received the ______ via email this morning.

Answer:

  1. syllabus

  2. syllabuses

  3. syllabi

  4. syllabus

  5. syllabi

Exercise 2: Choose the correct sentence.

  1. a) The syllabuses were printed yesterday. ✅
    b) The syllabuseses were printed yesterday.

  2. a) Professors compared different syllabi from last year. ✅
    b) Professors compared different syllabuseses from last year.

  3. a) The syllabus helps students prepare for exams. ✅
    b) The syllabuses helps students prepare for exams.

  4. a) Several syllabi need to be updated this term. ✅
    b) Several syllabus need to be updated this term.

  5. a) All syllabuses are uploaded to the website. ✅
    b) All syllabus are uploaded to the website.