Pluralise Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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pluralise
[ˈplʊərəlaɪz ]
Definition
language usage
To pluralise means to change a word from its singular form to its plural form. This is done to indicate that there is more than one of the noun being referred to. Pluralisation often involves changing the word's ending, such as adding 's' or 'es'.
Synonyms
make plural, pluralize.
Examples of usage
- You should pluralise 'cat' to 'cats'.
- In English, we often pluralise countable nouns.
- When you pluralise 'child', it becomes 'children'.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Linguistics
- In English, most nouns become plural by adding 's' or 'es', but there are many irregular forms (e.g., 'mouse' becomes 'mice').
- Different languages have unique ways to indicate plural; for instance, in Arabic, plurals can be formed using different patterns and not just by adding letters.
- In some cultures, plurals can also reflect societal norms, such as using gendered nouns in languages like Spanish or Italian.
Education
- Teaching children about plurals is often done through games and rhymes to make learning fun and engaging.
- Many language learning programs focus on plurals early on, as understanding singular vs. plural is fundamental in mastering a language.
- Effective pluralization is crucial in written communication, helping to avoid misunderstandings and clarify meaning.
Cultural Perspectives
- In some Indigenous languages, the concept of pluralization goes beyond just the number and can indicate the type of group (e.g., humans, animals, plants).
- Certain dialects and languages may not even have plural forms, using context instead to convey quantity.
- Cultural practices may influence the way plurals are expressed; for example, in some cultures, kinship terms may have pluralization rules that reflect social relations.
Pop Culture
- Plural forms are often playfully used in advertising to evoke a sense of variety, such as in fast-food slogans promoting 'burgers' to show options.
- In children's media, plural forms are commonly incorporated in songs and stories, helping young learners grasp the concept through repetition.
- The concept of making things plural is frequently used in comedy, where exaggerating quantities can lead to humor.
Origin of 'pluralise'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'pluralise' comes from the Latin word 'pluralis', which means 'more than one'.
- In English, the suffix '-ise' originates from the Greek '-izo,' which is used to describe the act of making something happen.
- The spelling 'pluralize' is commonly used in American English, while 'pluralise' is preferred in British English.
The term 'pluralise' originates from the Latin word 'pluralis', which means 'more than one'. This Latin root is derived from 'plus', meaning 'more'. The suffix '-ize' is commonly used in English to form verbs from nouns or adjectives, indicating the action of making something into a specified state or condition. The transition of 'pluralise' into the English language reflects the evolution of linguistic rules, particularly how languages structure number. Its usage has been observed in English texts from as early as the 16th century, as scholars began formalising the rules of grammar and language mechanics. With the increasing influence of linguistic studies on English, the verb 'pluralise' has become standard in educational contexts and language reference materials, further cementing its place in contemporary English.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,268, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.