What’s the Plural of Swine?

English is full of quirks and exceptions, and one of the more confusing aspects of the language is how certain words form their plurals. While most nouns add an “-s” or “-es” to become plural, some words remain the same whether they are singular or plural. One such word is “swine.” In this article, we will explore the plural of “swine,” its usage in sentences, and clarify any common questions related to its pluralization.

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What Does “Swine” Mean?

Before discussing its plural form, it’s important to understand the meaning of “swine.”

The word “swine” refers to a domesticated pig or hog, especially in older or more formal contexts. In its most common usage today, “swine” is used as a collective term for pigs, although it can also refer to a single pig. The word has Old English and Germanic roots and has been used for centuries to describe this particular animal.

In modern language, “swine” may also be used figuratively to describe someone perceived as disgusting, greedy, or morally corrupt, although this usage is less common today.

Common Uses of “Swine”:

1. In Agriculture: Farmers often use the term to refer to their livestock, particularly pigs raised for meat production.
2. In Historical or Literary Contexts: The word “swine” is often found in older texts, where it refers to pigs in general.
3. As an Insult: The term “swine” has historically been used as a derogatory term for someone seen as immoral or uncivilized.

Examples of “Swine” in Singular Form:

• The farmer raised a single swine in addition to his herd of cattle.
  (Here, “swine” refers to one pig.)
• In medieval England, peasants were often responsible for herding the village’s swine.
  (In this sentence, “swine” refers to pigs in a general sense.)
• He called me a swine after I refused to help him with his project.
  (Here, “swine” is used as an insult, meaning someone who is perceived as low or contemptible.)

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What’s the Plural of “Swine”?

The plural of “swine” is “swine.” That’s right—“swine” is one of those rare English words that has the same form in both the singular and the plural.

Why is “Swine” Both Singular and Plural?

“Swine” is an example of a word known as a zero plural or an invariant plural. This means that the word does not change form when it shifts from singular to plural. While this can be confusing for some English learners, other words follow similar patterns, such as:

• Sheep → Sheep
• Deer → Deer
• Fish → Fish (Note: “Fishes” can also be used in specific contexts, but “fish” is the more common plural.)

The reason for this zero plural has historical roots. In Old English, some nouns, particularly those related to animals, took the same form in both singular and plural. Over time, most English nouns developed distinct plural endings, but a few, like “swine,” retained their original invariant forms.

Thus, “swine” remains the same whether you are talking about one pig or a herd of pigs.

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Examples of “Swine” in Plural Form

Since “swine” is both singular and plural, the best way to understand its usage is to look at examples with varying contexts.

Everyday Usage:

• The farmer keeps over fifty swine on his property.
  (Here, “swine” refers to multiple pigs.)
• The wild swine in the forest were known to damage crops in nearby villages.
  (In this sentence, “swine” refers to a group of wild pigs.)
• He made a fortune selling swine to local butchers.
  (Here, “swine” is used to refer to multiple pigs in the context of trade.)

In Historical or Traditional Contexts:

• In ancient Rome, people sacrificed swine during religious ceremonies.
  (In this example, “swine” refers to multiple pigs used in rituals.)
• The legend tells of a farmer who owned a herd of magical swine that could never be caught by hunters.
  (Here, “swine” refers to a large group of pigs.)
• During the Middle Ages, peasants raised swine for both food and trade.
  (In this sentence, “swine” refers to pigs collectively.)

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Singular vs. Plural: “Swine” as a Zero Plural

As we’ve seen, “swine” is one of the few English words that does not change between singular and plural. This can sometimes lead to confusion, especially if the context does not make it immediately clear whether the word is referring to one pig or many.

Singular (“Swine”) in Sentences:

• The farmer sold one of his swine at the market today.
  (Here, “swine” refers to a single pig.)
• The swine was ill and required special care on the farm.
  (In this sentence, “swine” refers to one specific pig.)

Plural (“Swine”) in Sentences:

• The farmer’s swine escaped from their pen and wandered into the neighboring field.
  (Here, “swine” refers to multiple pigs.)
• The wild swine were a common sight in the forest near the village.
  (In this sentence, “swine” refers to a group of wild pigs.)

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Common Questions and Misconceptions About “Swine”

Let’s address some common questions and misconceptions about the plural form of “swine.”

Question 1:

Is “swines” ever correct?

Answer:
No, “swines” is not correct. The word “swine” is both singular and plural, so adding an “-s” to form “swines” is incorrect.

Incorrect:

• The farmer raised several swines on his farm.

Correct:

• The farmer raised several swine on his farm.

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Question 2:

How do you tell if “swine” is singular or plural?

Answer:
Whether “swine” is singular or plural depends on the context of the sentence. In many cases, surrounding words will make it clear. For example, if the sentence says “one swine,” it’s singular. If it refers to “many swine” or “a herd of swine,” it’s plural.

Example (Singular):

• The farmer sold one swine at the market today.

Example (Plural):

• The farmer owns a large herd of swine on his property.

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Question 3:

Can “swine” be used figuratively?

Answer:
Yes, “swine” can be used figuratively, especially as an insult. It has historically been used to describe someone who is seen as greedy, vulgar, or immoral. However, this figurative use is less common today and may sound somewhat old-fashioned.

Example:

• After betraying his friends, they called him a swine for his actions.

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Practice Questions: Singular or Plural?

Let’s test your understanding of when to use “swine” as singular and when to use it as plural with some practice questions.

Question 1:

Which word is correct in the following sentence?

• The farmer keeps over a hundred _ on his land.

a) swine
b) swines

Answer:
a) swine

Explanation: The correct plural form of “swine” is “swine,” not “swines.” The word stays the same in both singular and plural forms.

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Question 2:

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word:

• The wild _ in the forest often destroy crops.

Answer:
Swine

Explanation: In this case, “swine” is plural, referring to multiple wild pigs.

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Question 3:

True or False:
“Swines” is an acceptable plural form of “swine.”

Answer:
False

Explanation: The word “swine” does not change between singular and plural, so “swines” is incorrect.

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Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) The farmer sold several swines at the market.
b) The farmer sold several swine at the market.

Answer:
*b) The farmer sold several swine at the market.

Explanation: The word “swine” is the correct plural form, so “swines” is incorrect.

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Conclusion

In summary, the word “swine” is both singular and plural, making it one of the few English nouns that follow the zero plural rule. Whether you’re talking about one pig or many, the word “swine” remains the same. This can be confusing at first, but with practice, it becomes easier to recognize when “swine” is being used in its singular or plural form, based on the context of the sentence.

Key Takeaways:

• “Swine” is both singular and plural.
• The plural form is not “swines”—this is a common mistake.
• Context helps determine whether “swine” refers to one pig or multiple pigs.

By mastering the correct usage of “swine,” you can confidently use the word in various contexts, whether you’re discussing farming, reading historical texts, or even using it figuratively.