Plurals in OET Writing Sub Test
The use of plurals in OET writing plays a very important role. Generally, we add -s to the ending of the word to make it plural but not all the words take -s at the ending of the words. For example, the plural of joint will be joints, the plural of appointment will be appointments.
We also add -es to make plurals.
For instance:
Syringe - Syringes
Cortex - Cortexes (or also cortices)
But, certain medical English will have words that follow different rules when it comes to formation of the plurals from singulars.
For example:
The word stratum is singular. But, you can't add -s to the ending of the word to make it plural.
Stratums (it is wrong)
Strata (it is plural and it is correct)
Similarly, we say foot and its plural can’t be foots. It is feet.
But, still there are many candidates who commit these simple mistakes. As a medical professional, it is important that you should clearly define the situation, the health conditions of the patient, communicate the information correctly, etc.
Following are a few of the singulars and their plurals.
Acetabulum - Acetabula
Larva - Larvae
Chorda - Chardae
Varix - Varices
Fungus - Fungi
Fibula - Fibulae
Glomerulus - Glomeruli
Abscess - Abscesses
Bulla - Bullae
Calculus - Calculi
Esophagus - Esophagi
Atrium - Atria
Pons - Pontes
Bacillus - Bacilli
Larynx - Larynges
Biopsy - Biopsies
Ovum - Ova
Axilla - Axillae
Pleura - Pleurae
Diagnosis - Diagnoses
Humerus - Humeri
Ganglion - Ganglia
Conjunctiva - Conjunctivae
Villus - Villi
Fibroma - Fibromata
Vertebra - Vertebrae
Bout - Bouts
Thorax - Thoraces
Apex - Apices
Sarcoma - Sarcomata
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