What’s the Plural of Syllabus?

English is a language that borrows extensively from other languages, particularly Latin and Greek, which can sometimes make pluralizing certain words a bit tricky. One such word is “syllabus.” Derived from Latin, this word follows a less common pluralization pattern, and depending on the context and formality of writing, you may encounter two different plural forms. In this article, we’ll explore the plural of “syllabus,” explain why it has multiple plural forms, and provide examples of how each is used. Additionally, we’ll answer common questions related to the word and offer practice exercises to clarify any confusion.

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What Is a “Syllabus”?

Before diving into its plural form, it’s important to understand what a “syllabus” is.

A syllabus is a document or outline that details the structure, topics, goals, and schedule of a course of study. It is typically provided by instructors to students at the beginning of a course to give an overview of what will be covered during the term. The syllabus often includes:

• Course objectives: The skills and knowledge students are expected to gain.
• Reading list: A list of texts and materials students must read or review.
• Assignments and exams: A schedule of major assignments, quizzes, projects, and exams.
• Grading policy: How students will be evaluated.
• Course schedule: A breakdown of what topics will be covered in each class session.

Common Uses of “Syllabus”:

• In Education: A syllabus helps students understand the requirements and expectations of a course. It serves as a roadmap, guiding both students and instructors through the course content.
• In Professional Development: Workshops, seminars, and professional training programs often come with a syllabus outlining the learning objectives and key themes.

Examples of “Syllabus” in Singular Form:

• The professor handed out the course syllabus on the first day of class.
  (Here, “syllabus” refers to a single document outlining the course structure.)
• The syllabus includes all the reading materials and important dates for exams.
  (In this sentence, “syllabus” refers to one specific course document.)
• I need to review the syllabus to understand what topics will be covered this semester.
  (Here, “syllabus” refers to a single outline for the course.)

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What’s the Plural of “Syllabus”?

The plural of “syllabus” can be written in two ways:

1. Syllabi (pronounced si-luh-bai or si-luh-bee)
2. Syllabuses

Both forms are correct, but “syllabi” is the more traditional and formal plural form, following Latin rules of pluralization. “Syllabuses,” on the other hand, is the anglicized plural form and is increasingly accepted, particularly in informal contexts or everyday speech.

Why Are There Two Plural Forms?

Because “syllabus” is derived from Latin, the traditional plural form is “syllabi,” following the Latin rule where nouns that end in “-us” typically change to “-i” in the plural. Other examples of this pattern include:

• Nucleus → Nuclei
• Alumnus → Alumni
• Fungus → Fungi

However, as English has evolved, it has become common to create plurals by simply adding “-es” to nouns that end in “-s,” especially when the word has been fully integrated into the English language. Therefore, “syllabuses” has emerged as an equally acceptable plural form.

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Examples of “Syllabi” and “Syllabuses” in Sentences

Let’s look at how both plural forms are used in different contexts.

Using “Syllabi”:

• The professor prepared detailed syllabi for each of her courses.
  (Here, “syllabi” refers to multiple course outlines, following the Latin pluralization.)
• At the beginning of the semester, the department chair reviewed all the syllabi to ensure consistency across courses.
  (In this sentence, “syllabi” is used to refer to multiple course outlines.)
• The academic committee requested the professors submit their syllabi for approval before the semester starts.
  (Here, “syllabi” is used in a formal academic context.)

Using “Syllabuses”:

• The teachers updated their syllabuses to reflect the new curriculum guidelines.
  (In this sentence, “syllabuses” refers to multiple course outlines using the more anglicized plural form.)
• The students were asked to review the syllabuses for each of their classes.
  (Here, “syllabuses” is used in a more conversational context.)
• Before the conference, the organizers distributed the syllabuses for each workshop.
  (In this sentence, “syllabuses” refers to multiple outlines for different workshops.)

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Singular vs. Plural: “Syllabus” vs. “Syllabi” or “Syllabuses”

It’s important to know when to use the singular “syllabus” and when to use the plural forms “syllabi” or “syllabuses.” While both plural forms are correct, “syllabi” tends to be used in more formal or academic writing, whereas “syllabuses” is often used in everyday or informal speech.

Singular (“Syllabus”) in Sentences:

• The syllabus for the literature course is quite comprehensive.
  (Here, “syllabus” refers to a single outline for one course.)
• Make sure to read the syllabus carefully before the first class.
  (In this sentence, “syllabus” refers to one specific course document.)

Plural (“Syllabi” or “Syllabuses”) in Sentences:

• The department asked for all the professors to submit their syllabi for review.
  (Here, “syllabi” refers to multiple course outlines.)
• The school administrator collected the syllabuses from each teacher.
  (In this sentence, “syllabuses” refers to multiple course outlines, using the anglicized form.)

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Common Questions and Misconceptions About “Syllabus”

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

Question 1:

Which plural form is more correct: “syllabi” or “syllabuses”?

Answer:
Both “syllabi” and “syllabuses” are correct. However, “syllabi” is considered the more traditional and formal plural form, following Latin rules. “Syllabuses” is the anglicized version and is increasingly accepted, particularly in everyday speech or informal writing.

Example:

• The professor distributed the syllabi for the upcoming courses.
  (More formal)
• The students were asked to review their syllabuses before the start of the semester.
  (More conversational)

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Question 2:

Is “syllabi” the only correct plural form?

Answer:
No, “syllabuses” is also correct. While “syllabi” follows traditional Latin rules and is often used in academic or formal contexts, “syllabuses” is equally valid and is more commonly used in everyday English.

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Question 3:

Does the plural form of “syllabus” change the meaning?

Answer:
No, whether you use “syllabi” or “syllabuses,” the meaning remains the same. Both forms refer to multiple course outlines or schedules.

Example:

• The department shared all the syllabi with the new faculty members.
  (This means the department shared multiple course outlines.)
• The school collected the syllabuses for review.
  (This means the school collected multiple course outlines.)

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Question 4:

Which plural form should I use in formal writing: “syllabi” or “syllabuses”?

Answer:
In formal writing, particularly in academic or professional contexts, “syllabi” is generally preferred. However, “syllabuses” is also acceptable, especially in less formal contexts. If you are unsure, “syllabi” is often the safer choice for formal documents.

Example:

• The university requires all instructors to submit their syllabi to the department head before the semester begins.

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Practice Questions: Syllabus, Syllabi, or Syllabuses?

Let’s test your understanding of when to use “syllabus,” “syllabi,” and “syllabuses” with some practice questions.

Question 1:

Which word is correct in the following sentence?

• The professor handed out the _ for each course on the first day.

a) syllabi
b) syllabuses
c) syllabus

Answer:
c) syllabus

Explanation: Since the sentence refers to the outline for each individual course, the singular form “syllabus” is correct.

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Question 2:

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

• The department asked all the instructors to submit their _ for review.

Answer:
Syllabi

Explanation: Since the sentence refers to multiple course outlines, the plural form “syllabi” is appropriate in this formal context.

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Question 3:

True or False:
“Syllabuses” is an incorrect plural form of “syllabus.”

Answer:
False

Explanation: While “syllabi” is the more traditional plural form, “syllabuses” is also correct and is accepted in everyday English.

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Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) The professor distributed the syllabi on the first day of class.
b) The professor distributed the syllabus on the first day of class.
c) The professor distributed the syllabuses on the first day of class.

Answer:
a) and c)

Explanation: Both “syllabi” and “syllabuses” are correct plural forms, so either a) or c) would be acceptable depending on the formality of the context.

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Conclusion

In summary, the word “syllabus” has two correct plural forms: “syllabi” and “syllabuses.” The choice between the two generally depends on the level of formality. “Syllabi” follows traditional Latin rules and is often used in academic or formal writing, while “syllabuses” is the anglicized version and is increasingly accepted, especially in informal contexts.

Key Takeaways:

• “Syllabi” is the traditional Latin plural form and is commonly used in formal writing.
• “Syllabuses” is the anglicized plural form and is acceptable, especially in everyday speech.
• Both forms are correct, and the meaning remains the same regardless of which plural form you use.

By mastering the correct usage of “syllabus” and its plural forms, you can confidently use the word in both academic and everyday contexts, ensuring clarity and precision in your communication.