What’s the Plural of Tomato?

When it comes to pluralizing English words, some follow straightforward rules, while others cause confusion. One word that often puzzles people is “tomato.” Unlike many nouns that simply require the addition of an “-s” to form the plural, “tomato” follows a slightly different rule that has tripped up many English learners and even native speakers. In this article, we will explore the correct plural form of “tomato,” why it is spelled the way it is, provide examples of its proper use, and address common questions and misconceptions about pluralizing this word.

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What Does “Tomato” Mean?

Before delving into the pluralization of “tomato,” let’s first define the word. A tomato is a fruit that is commonly considered a vegetable in culinary contexts. It is typically red when ripe, although it can also come in other colors, such as yellow, green, and purple. Tomatoes are widely used in cooking and are a key ingredient in dishes from around the world, including salads, sauces, soups, and sandwiches.

Key Characteristics of a Tomato:

• Botanical Classification: A tomato is a fruit because it develops from the ovary of the flower and contains seeds.
• Culinary Use: Despite being a fruit, tomatoes are often used in savory dishes, which is why they are commonly referred to as vegetables in the kitchen.
• Varieties: Tomatoes come in many varieties, including cherry tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, and plum tomatoes.

Examples of “Tomato” in Singular Form:

• I sliced a tomato to add to my sandwich.
  (Here, “tomato” refers to a single tomato being used as an ingredient.)
• The farmer grew a large, ripe tomato in his garden.
  (In this sentence, “tomato” refers to one specific tomato.)
• A fresh tomato adds the perfect touch to a summer salad.
  (Here, “tomato” is singular, referring to one individual tomato.)

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What’s the Plural of “Tomato”?

The plural of “tomato” is “tomatoes.” Unlike many English nouns, which form their plural by simply adding “-s” to the end (e.g., “cat” becomes “cats”), “tomato” follows a special rule for nouns that end in “-o.” For most nouns ending in “-o” that are preceded by a consonant, the plural is formed by adding “-es” rather than just “-s.”

Why “Tomatoes” Instead of “Tomatos”?

The reason “tomatoes” takes “-es” rather than just “-s” is due to a pattern in English spelling. When a noun ends in “-o” and is preceded by a consonant, the plural form usually adds “-es” to make the word easier to pronounce. If only “-s” were added, the word might be awkward or difficult to say. This rule applies to several other words besides “tomato,” such as “potato” (plural: “potatoes”) and “hero” (plural: “heroes”).

However, it’s important to note that not every noun ending in “-o” follows this rule. Some nouns, especially those related to music or borrowed from other languages, simply take “-s” to form the plural, such as “piano” (plural: “pianos”) and “photo” (plural: “photos”). The key is to familiarize yourself with the common exceptions.

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Examples of “Tomatoes” in Sentences

Now that we know the correct plural form, let’s look at some examples of “tomatoes” in sentences to help clarify its usage.

Everyday Usage:

• I bought three ripe tomatoes at the farmers’ market.
  (Here, “tomatoes” refers to multiple tomatoes that were purchased.)
• The chef diced several tomatoes to make a fresh salsa.
  (In this sentence, “tomatoes” refers to more than one tomato being prepared for a dish.)
• We are growing cherry tomatoes in our garden this summer.
  (Here, “tomatoes” refers to multiple tomatoes of the cherry variety.)

In Cooking:

• The recipe calls for two large tomatoes, peeled and chopped.
  (In this sentence, “tomatoes” refers to the number of tomatoes needed for the recipe.)
• She roasted the tomatoes in olive oil with garlic and herbs.
  (Here, “tomatoes” refers to several tomatoes that are being cooked.)
• A basket of fresh tomatoes sat on the kitchen counter.
  (In this sentence, “tomatoes” refers to a large quantity of tomatoes.)

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Singular vs. Plural: “Tomato” vs. “Tomatoes”

It’s important to know when to use “tomato” (singular) and when to use “tomatoes” (plural). The distinction is simple: “tomato” refers to one tomato, while “tomatoes” refers to more than one.

Let’s clarify this with a few more examples:

Singular (“Tomato”) in Sentences:

• I need one more tomato to finish the salad.
  (Here, “tomato” refers to a single tomato needed as an ingredient.)
• She picked a ripe tomato from the vine.
  (In this sentence, “tomato” refers to one specific tomato being harvested.)
• The sandwich was topped with a slice of fresh tomato.
  (Here, “tomato” refers to a singular slice of tomato.)

Plural (“Tomatoes”) in Sentences:

• We chopped up several tomatoes for the salsa.
  (Here, “tomatoes” refers to multiple tomatoes needed for the dish.)
• The grocery store had a sale on organic tomatoes this week.
  (In this sentence, “tomatoes” refers to a variety of tomatoes being sold.)
• Please add the diced tomatoes to the sauce.
  (Here, “tomatoes” refers to multiple tomatoes being added to a recipe.)

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Why Do Some People Confuse the Plural of “Tomato”?

The confusion around the plural of “tomato” likely arises from the fact that most English nouns simply add “-s” to form their plural. Because “tomato” adds “-es,” some people mistakenly believe that “tomatos” might be correct, following the more common pattern. However, as we’ve seen, “tomatoes” follows the rule for nouns ending in “-o” preceded by a consonant.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using “Tomatos” as the Plural
Some people incorrectly add just “-s” to form the plural “tomatos.” This is incorrect. The proper plural form is “tomatoes.”

Incorrect:

• I bought three tomatos at the market.

Correct:

• I bought three tomatoes at the market.

Mistake 2: Confusing “Tomato” and “Tomatoes”
Another common mistake is using “tomato” when referring to multiple tomatoes, or “tomatoes” when referring to just one. Remember, “tomato” is singular, and “tomatoes” is plural.

Incorrect:

• I added two tomato to the sauce.

Correct:

• I added two tomatoes to the sauce.

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How to Use “Tomatoes” Correctly in Sentences

Whether you’re writing a recipe, shopping for groceries, or discussing your garden, knowing how to use “tomatoes” correctly is important. Let’s look at some specific contexts where the plural form is used.

In Recipes:

• The recipe calls for three large tomatoes to be diced and added to the salad.
  (Here, “tomatoes” refers to the number of tomatoes needed for the recipe.)
• Roast the tomatoes in the oven for 20 minutes until they are soft.
  (In this sentence, “tomatoes” refers to multiple tomatoes being cooked.)

In Gardening:

• This year, we planted five different varieties of tomatoes in the garden.
  (Here, “tomatoes” refers to different types of tomatoes being grown.)
• The cherry tomatoes are ripening quickly in the summer heat.
  (In this sentence, “tomatoes” refers to multiple tomatoes of the cherry variety.)

At the Grocery Store:

• The store had a sale on heirloom tomatoes this week.
  (Here, “tomatoes” refers to a specific variety of tomatoes.)
• I selected a few ripe tomatoes from the display.
  (In this sentence, “tomatoes” refers to several tomatoes chosen for purchase.)

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Common Questions and Misconceptions About “Tomatoes”

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

Question 1:

Is “tomatos” ever correct?

Answer:
No, “tomatos” is never correct. The proper plural form is “tomatoes.”

Example:

• I bought fresh tomatoes from the farmer’s market.

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Question 2:

Why isn’t the plural of “tomato” just “tomatos”?

Answer:
The word “tomato” follows a special rule for nouns ending in “-o” that are preceded by a consonant. To form the plural, you add “-es” instead of just “-s.” This rule makes the word easier to pronounce and is common with similar words like “potato” (plural: “potatoes”) and “hero” (plural: “heroes”).

Example:

• We need to buy five more tomatoes for the salad.

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Question 3:

Which plural form should I use in formal writing: “tomatoes” or “tomatos”?

Answer:
Always use “tomatoes” in formal writing. “Tomatos” is incorrect and should be avoided in any context.

Example (Correct for formal writing):

• The dish requires several ripe tomatoes for the sauce.

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Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) I sliced three tomatos for the salad.
b) I sliced three tomatoes for the salad.

Answer:
*b) I sliced three tomatoes for the salad.

Explanation: The correct plural form of “tomato” is “tomatoes.” “Tomatos” is incorrect.

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Practice Questions: Tomato or Tomatoes?

Let’s test your understanding of when to use “tomato” and when to use “tomatoes” with some practice questions.

Question 1:

Which word is correct in the following sentence?

• I bought several _ at the market.

a) tomato
b) tomatoes

Answer:
b) tomatoes

Explanation: Since the sentence refers to more than one tomato, the correct plural form is “tomatoes.”

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Question 2:

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

• I need one more _ to finish the recipe.

Answer:
Tomato

Explanation: The sentence refers to one tomato, so “tomato” is the correct singular form.

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Question 3:

True or False:
“Tomatos” is an acceptable plural form of “tomato.”

Answer:
False

Explanation: The correct plural form is “tomatoes.” “Tomatos” is incorrect.

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Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) I grew several tomatos in my garden this year.
b) I grew several tomatoes in my garden this year.

Answer:
*b) I grew several tomatoes in my garden this year.

Explanation: The correct plural form of “tomato” is “tomatoes.”

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Conclusion

In summary, the plural form of “tomato” is “tomatoes.” This follows the rule for nouns ending in “-o” preceded by a consonant, where “-es” is added to form the plural. Knowing and using the correct plural form is important in both everyday and formal contexts.

Key Takeaways:

• “Tomato” is singular, referring to one tomato.
• “Tomatoes” is the correct plural form and should always be used when referring to more than one.
• Avoid using “tomatos,” as it is incorrect.

By mastering the correct plural form of “tomato,” you can confidently use “tomatoes” in a variety of contexts, whether you’re writing a recipe, shopping for groceries, or discussing your garden.