The Plural Of Census - Grammar Monster

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Plural of Census

What Is the Plural of Census?

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The Quick Answer

The plural of "census" is "censuses," despite its Latin origins. The plural of "census" is "censuses." "Census" derives from Latin, but the Latin plural "census" (with a long "oo" sound for the "u") is not used. "Censi" (which some people think is the Latin plural) has never been a plural form.
  • Censuses were originally the only method of collecting national demographic data. correct tick
  • Population censuses rely on a sampling frame to count the population. correct tick

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The Standard Rules for Forming the Plurals

The table below shows the standard rules for forming the plurals of nouns in English.
Type Example of Type Forming the Plural Plural
Most Nouns lamp scythe add s lamps scythes
Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z dress census add es dresses censuses (Unlike some words with foreign stems (e.g., nucleus with the plural "nuclei"), "census" forms its plural using the standard rules of English.)
Nouns ending [consonant] o hero zero tomato add either s or es (There are no rules for this - you have to know.) heroes zeros tomatoes
Nouns ending [vowel] o patio ratio add s patios ratios
Nouns ending [consonant] y story penny change the y to an i and add es stories pennies
Nouns ending [vowel] y donkey chimney add s donkeys chimneys
Nouns ending f or fe dwarf hoof ves and/or s (There are no rules - you have to know.) dwarfs hooves or hoofs
Exceptions man louse some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change men lice
More exceptions salmon sheep some nouns do not change at all salmon sheep
Foreign rulings census medium some nouns adopt foreign rulings census(The Latin plural "census" (with a long u) is not used.) media
Read more about English spelling rules.

Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Census?

The rules for pluralizing Latin nouns (like "census") are inconsistent. For example:
  • Some retain their Latin plural:
    • stimulus becomes "stimuli" correct tick
    • nucleus becomes "nuclei" correct tick
  • Some have dropped their Latin plural:
    • referendum becomes "referendums" correct tick
    • datum becomes "datums" correct tick
      • ("Data" can now be considered a new word meaning information.)
  • Some use both plurals:
    • syllabus becomes "syllabuses" or "syllabi" correct tick
    • formula becomes "formulas" or "formulae" correct tick
"Census" falls into the second category. It has dropped its Latin plural. author logo

This page was written by Craig Shrives.

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