What’s the Plural of Species?
The English language is full of words with unique pluralization rules, especially when it comes to scientific terminology. One word that often causes confusion is “species.” If you’ve ever wondered what the plural form of “species” is, how to use the word correctly, or what its origins are, this article will provide you with all the answers. We’ll explore the singular and plural forms of “species,” provide examples in various contexts, and answer common questions about how to properly use the word.
Table of Contents
What Is a “Species”?
Before diving into its plural form, let’s first understand what “species” means. The word “species” is used in biology to classify organisms that share common characteristics and are capable of interbreeding. It is a fundamental concept in taxonomy, the science of naming, defining, and classifying organisms.
A species is the basic unit of biological classification and refers to a group of organisms that have similar features, behaviors, and genetic makeup. For example, humans belong to the species Homo sapiens, while domestic dogs belong to the species Canis lupus familiaris.
Key Characteristics of a Species:
- Common Characteristics: Members of the same species typically share similar physical traits, behaviors, or genetic markers that differentiate them from other species.
- Reproductive Compatibility: Organisms within a species can generally reproduce with one another and produce fertile offspring.
- Genetic Similarity: Species members share a high degree of genetic similarity, which distinguishes them from other groups of organisms.
Examples of “Species” in Singular Form
- The endangered species of tiger is found only in certain parts of Southeast Asia.
(Here, species refers to a single group of tigers with common characteristics.) - The scientist discovered a new species of plant thriving in the harsh desert environment.
(In this sentence, species refers to one specific group of plants.) - Humans belong to the species Homo sapiens.
(Here, species refers to the human species.)
What’s the Plural of “Species”?
The word species is unique because its singular and plural forms are identical. Whether you are referring to one group of organisms or several different groups, the word species remains the same. This makes species an irregular noun in English, much like deer or fish, which also have the same form for both singular and plural.
Why Is “Species” Both Singular and Plural?
The word species comes from Latin, where it also had the same form for both singular and plural. In Latin, species means “appearance” or “kind,” and it was adopted into English with its original pluralization rule intact. This is why we don’t add -es or -s to form the plural, as we do with most English words.
Examples of “Species” in Plural Form
Now that we know the word species is both singular and plural, let’s look at some examples where species is used in the plural form.
In Biology:
- Scientists have identified over 8 million species of animals on Earth.
(Here, species refers to multiple different groups of animals.) - Several species of birds migrate south in the winter to escape the cold.
(In this sentence, species refers to more than one type of bird.) - The rainforest is home to thousands of rare and endangered species.
(Here, species refers to the numerous different types of plants and animals in the rainforest.)
In Conservation:
- Many species are at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction and climate change.
(In this example, species refers to multiple groups of organisms that are endangered.) - Conservationists are working to protect endangered species like the panda and the rhinoceros.
(Here, species refers to several different endangered animals.) - Marine biologists have discovered new species of fish living in the deep ocean.
(In this sentence, species refers to multiple newly discovered types of fish.)
Singular vs. Plural: “Species” in Context
It’s important to know that species can serve as both singular and plural. The context of the sentence will tell you whether it is being used to refer to one group or multiple groups. Let’s go over some examples to clarify this distinction.
Singular (“Species”) in Sentences:
- The Galápagos tortoise is a unique species found only on the Galápagos Islands.
(Here, species refers to one specific group of tortoises.) - The scientist is studying a rare species of orchid that blooms only once a year.
(In this sentence, species refers to a single type of orchid.) - Homo sapiens is the only surviving species of the genus Homo.
(Here, species refers to humans as the only remaining species in our genus.)
Plural (“Species”) in Sentences:
- The Amazon rainforest is home to countless species of insects, birds, and mammals.
(Here, species refers to many different types of creatures.) - Several species of whales migrate through these waters every year.
(In this sentence, species refers to more than one type of whale.) - Invasive species can cause significant damage to ecosystems by outcompeting native species.
(Here, species refers to different types of organisms that invade new environments.)
Common Questions and Misconceptions About “Species”
Let’s address some common questions and misconceptions about the word species and its usage.
Question 1:
Is “species” ever pluralized as “specie”?
Answer:
No, “specie” is not the singular form of species. “Specie” is a completely unrelated word that refers to money in the form of coins, particularly gold or silver coinage. The word species remains the same in both singular and plural contexts.
Example:
- Incorrect: The scientist discovered a new specie of bird in the forest.
- Correct: The scientist discovered a new species of bird in the forest.
Question 2:
Can “species” be used to refer to plants as well as animals?
Answer:
Yes, “species” can be used to refer to any group of living organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria. In biology, the term is not limited to animals—it applies to all forms of life.
Example:
- The botanist discovered a new species of tree in the tropical rainforest.
(Here, species refers to a type of tree, which is a plant.)
Question 3:
How do I know if “species” is being used as singular or plural?
Answer:
The context of the sentence will usually make it clear whether species is singular or plural. You can also look at the surrounding verbs and articles for clues. In singular usage, species will often be accompanied by a singular verb (e.g., “The species is“), while in plural usage, it will be accompanied by a plural verb (e.g., “The species are“).
Example (Singular):
- The species is native to the Amazon rainforest.
(Here, species refers to one group of organisms, as indicated by the singular verb is.)
Example (Plural):
- Several species are found in this ecosystem.
(In this sentence, species refers to multiple groups of organisms, as indicated by the plural verb are.)
Question 4:
Is “species” used only in scientific contexts?
Answer:
No, while species is primarily used in scientific contexts, it can also be used in everyday language to refer to different types or kinds of things. For example, people might use species metaphorically to describe different categories of objects, ideas, or behaviors.
Example (Metaphorical Usage):
- There’s a whole new species of smartphone on the market, featuring foldable screens.
(Here, species is used metaphorically to refer to a new type or kind of smartphone.)
Practice Questions: Species in Singular and Plural Forms
Let’s test your understanding of the word species with the following practice questions.
Question 1:
Fill in the blank with the correct word:
The scientist discovered three new _ of butterflies in the rainforest.
a) specie
b) species
Answer:
b) species
Explanation: The word species does not change in the plural form, so the correct answer is species.
Question 2:
Which sentence is correct?
a) The species of frog that we discovered is native to this area.
b) The specie of frog that we discovered is native to this area.
Answer:
*a) The species of frog that we discovered is native to this area.
Explanation: Species is the correct form in both singular and plural contexts. Specie is incorrect in this context, as it refers to money in the form of coins.
Question 3:
True or False:
“Species” can be used to refer to both animals and plants.
Answer:
True
Explanation: Species is a biological term that refers to any group of living organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms.
Question 4:
Which verb should be used with the singular form of “species”?
a) are
b) is
Answer:
b) is
Explanation: When species is used in the singular form, it takes a singular verb like is.
Conclusion
To summarize, the word species is a unique noun in the English language because it remains the same in both singular and plural forms. Whether you are referring to one group of organisms or many, the word species does not change. Understanding the correct usage of species is essential in both scientific writing and everyday language.
Key Takeaways:
- “Species” is both singular and plural—there is no need to add “-s” or “-es” to form the plural.
- “Specie” is not the singular form of species; it is an unrelated word that refers to money in the form of coins.
- “Species” can refer to any group of living organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
- The context of the sentence will help you determine whether species is being used in the singular or plural form.
By mastering the proper use of species, you can ensure clarity in both scientific and general usage, whether you’re discussing biodiversity, conservation, or everyday categories of things.
