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What is a foreign plural?

A foreign plural refers to the plural form of a noun that originates from a language other than English. These nouns often retain their original plural form, even when used in English.

Here are some examples:

* Latin:

* alumna (singular) - alumnae (plural)

* datum (singular) - data (plural)

* octopus (singular) - octopuses (plural) or octopodes (plural)

* Greek:

* crisis (singular) - crises (plural)

* phenomenon (singular) - phenomena (plural)

* octopus (singular) - octopuses (plural) or octopodes (plural)

* French:

* beau (singular) - beaux (plural)

* bureau (singular) - bureaux (plural)

* corps (singular) - corps (plural)

* Italian:

* soprano (singular) - soprani (plural)

* alto (singular) - alti (plural)

* Spanish:

* el niño (singular) - los niños (plural)

* la niña (singular) - las niñas (plural)

Key Points:

* Not all foreign words use their original plural forms. Some have become Anglicized and use standard English plural forms (e.g., "cactus" - "cacti" or "cactus").

* There may be multiple acceptable plural forms for some words. This is often due to different linguistic influences or changing usage.

Example Sentences:

* The alumnae of the school held a reunion last weekend.

* The company released a set of data on customer satisfaction.

* The beaux and belles of the court were in attendance.

* The soprani of the opera were praised for their stunning performance.

It's important to note that using the correct plural form for foreign words depends on the context and the specific word. If you're unsure, consult a dictionary or grammar guide.

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