What’s the Plural of Paralysis

In English, the word paralysis refers to the loss of the ability to move part or all of the body, typically as a result of injury or illness. It’s a term used frequently in medical and scientific fields but is also commonly found in everyday language. However, when we need to talk about more than one instance of paralysis, the question arises: what is the plural of paralysis?

In this article, we’ll explore the correct plural form of paralysis, explain why it follows a particular pluralization rule, and provide examples to clarify its usage in different contexts. We’ll also answer common questions about paralysis and offer practice questions to help solidify your understanding.

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What Is the Plural of “Paralysis”?

The correct plural form of paralysis is paralyses. This follows a common pattern for words that end in -is, where the -is changes to -es in the plural form. This rule is derived from Greek, where many scientific and medical terms originate.

Why Is the Plural “Paralyses”?

The word paralysis comes from the Greek paralysis, meaning “loosening” or “disabling.” In Greek, when a word ends in -is, the plural is formed by changing -is to -es. This rule has been carried over into English for many words of Greek origin, particularly in medical terminology.

Other words that follow this same pluralization pattern include:

• Diagnosis → Diagnoses
• Analysis → Analyses
• Thesis → Theses
• Crisis → Crises

In each of these examples, the singular form ends in -is, and the plural form ends in -es. Paralysis follows the same rule, becoming paralyses in the plural.

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Is “Paralysises” Ever Correct?

No, paralysises is not correct. The proper plural form is paralyses, following the Greek-derived pluralization rule. Adding -es or -s to paralysis to form paralysises is a common mistake, but it is grammatically incorrect. Always use paralyses when referring to multiple cases or instances of paralysis.

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Examples of “Paralysis” and “Paralyses” in Sentences

Let’s look at some examples to clarify the correct usage of paralysis and paralyses in both singular and plural contexts.

Singular Form of “Paralysis”:

• The accident caused complete paralysis in his legs.
  (Here, paralysis refers to a single instance affecting one part of the body.)
• Her sudden paralysis left the doctors searching for the cause.
  (In this sentence, paralysis is used to describe a single medical condition.)
• The venom of the snake induces temporary paralysis in its prey.
  (This example uses paralysis to describe a singular occurrence of immobility.)

Plural Form “Paralyses”:

• The hospital specializes in treating different kinds of paralyses caused by spinal cord injuries.
  (Here, paralyses refers to multiple cases or types of paralysis.)
• Studies have examined the various paralyses that can result from nervous system disorders.
  (In this sentence, paralyses refers to multiple instances or forms of paralysis.)
• The doctor explained that there are several types of paralyses, each with a different cause and treatment.
  (This example shows paralyses being used to refer to different instances or categories of the condition.)

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The Meaning of Paralyses in Medical Context

Paralysis (Singular):

In medical terminology, paralysis refers to the loss of voluntary muscle function in a part of the body. It can be caused by various factors such as nerve damage, injury to the spinal cord, stroke, or certain neurological conditions. Paralysis can be classified into different types based on the extent and location of the immobility. Some common types of paralysis include:

• Monoplegia: Paralysis affecting one limb.
• Hemiplegia: Paralysis affecting one side of the body.
• Paraplegia: Paralysis affecting the lower half of the body.
• Quadriplegia: Paralysis affecting all four limbs.

Paralyses (Plural):

When discussing multiple instances of paralysis, whether in the same individual or across different individuals, we use the plural form paralyses. For example, a medical study might examine various types of paralyses caused by different conditions, or a hospital might treat several patients with different forms of paralyses.

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Common Questions About “Paralysis” and Its Plural Form

Let’s address some frequently asked questions to clear up any confusion about the pluralization and usage of paralysis and paralyses.

Question 1:

Is “paralyses” always plural?

Answer:
Yes, paralyses is always plural. It refers to multiple instances or types of paralysis. When referring to a single condition where someone cannot move part or all of their body, the correct term is paralysis.

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Question 2:

Can “paralysises” be used as a plural form?

Answer:
No, paralysises is not grammatically correct. The correct plural form is paralyses, following the Greek rule for pluralization where -is changes to -es. Using paralysises is a common mistake but is not accepted in standard English.

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Question 3:

Is “paralysis” a countable noun?

Answer:
Yes, paralysis is a countable noun. This means you can refer to one instance of paralysis as paralysis and multiple instances as paralyses. For example, when discussing different types of paralysis or multiple cases of paralysis in different people, you would use the plural form paralyses.

Examples:

• Singular: The patient suffered from paralysis in his right arm.
• Plural: The study focused on various paralyses caused by neurological disorders.

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Question 4:

Are there other words that follow the same pluralization rule as “paralysis”?

Answer:
Yes, several other words of Greek origin that end in -is follow the same pluralization rule, where -is changes to -es in the plural. Some examples include:

• Diagnosis → Diagnoses
• The doctor made a quick diagnosis.
• Multiple diagnoses were considered before the final one was confirmed.
• Analysis → Analyses
• Her analysis of the data was thorough.
• Several analyses were conducted to verify the results.
• Crisis → Crises
• The country faced an economic crisis.
• Multiple crises have affected the region in recent years.

These words retain their Greek pluralization rules when used in English, just like paralysis and paralyses.

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Practice Questions: Using “Paralysis” and “Paralyses” Correctly

Let’s test your understanding of how to use paralysis and paralyses with the following practice questions.

Question 1:

Fill in the blank with the correct plural form:

The research team studied different types of _ that occur after spinal cord injuries.

a) paralysises
b) paralysis
c) paralyses

Answer:
c) paralyses

Explanation: The correct plural form is paralyses, following the Greek pluralization rule. Paralysis is singular, and paralysises is incorrect.

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Question 2:

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

a) The patient experienced paralysis in both legs after the accident.
b) The patient experienced paralyses in both legs after the accident.
c) The patient experienced paralysises in both legs after the accident.

Answer:
*a) The patient experienced paralysis in both legs after the accident.

Explanation: Paralysis is singular and correctly used here to refer to the condition affecting both legs. Paralyses would only be used if referring to multiple instances or types of paralysis, and paralysises is incorrect.

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Question 3:

True or False:
“Paralyses” can be used to describe a single instance of paralysis.

Answer:
False

Explanation: Paralyses is always plural and refers to multiple instances or types of paralysis. The singular form is paralysis.

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Question 4:

Which of the following words follows the same pluralization rule as “paralysis”?

a) crisis
b) focus
c) cactus

Answer:
a) crisis

Explanation: Like paralysis, crisis is of Greek origin and forms its plural by changing -is to -es. The plural of crisis is crises.

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Singular and Plural Forms of Other Greek-Origin Words Ending in “-is”

To further clarify how paralysis fits into the broader category of Greek-origin words, let’s look at a few more examples. These words follow the same pattern, where the singular ends in -is and the plural ends in -es.

Words That Follow the “-is” to “-es” Rule:

• Paralysis → Paralyses
• The accident caused paralysis in her legs.
• Doctors treated several different paralyses at the trauma center.
• Diagnosis → Diagnoses
• The initial diagnosis was pneumonia.
• After several diagnoses, the final conclusion was a rare genetic disorder.
• Crisis → Crises
• The financial crisis of 2008 affected economies worldwide.
• The country has endured multiple crises in recent years.
• Analysis → Analyses
• Her detailed analysis helped solve the problem.
• The team conducted several analyses to confirm the findings.

These words retain their original Greek pluralization rules, making them exceptions to the usual English pattern of pluralizing nouns by adding -s or -es.

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Conclusion

The plural of paralysis is paralyses, following the Greek rule for pluralizing words that end in -is. While it might be tempting to add -es or -s in line with regular English pluralization rules, this is incorrect. Paralyses is the proper plural form and should be used in all writing contexts, especially in medical or scientific discussions.

Key Takeaways:

• The correct plural form of paralysis is paralyses.
• Paralysises is incorrect and should not be used.
• Paralysis is the singular form and refers to one instance of the condition.
• Paralyses is the plural form and refers to multiple instances or types of paralysis.

By mastering the proper pluralization of paralysis, you can confidently use the word in both written and spoken English, especially in medical and scientific contexts where precision is essential!