The Plural of Goose: Getting it Right
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There is often confusion regarding the plural form of goose. Read on to gain clarity on this peculiar irregular plural!
What is the Plural of Goose?
The plural of goose is geese.
So one goose and two or more geese. This irregular formation follows the pattern of tooth/teeth or foot/feet.
Why the Confusion Over the Plural Form?
There is often confusion over goose plurals because:
- Irregular plurals like geese are confusing, especially for non-native speakers
- People mistakenly apply a regular “s” ending to create non-standard “gooses”
- Other animals like deer and fish have identical singular and plural forms
- Regional dialects may use “gooses” in informal spoken English
Is Goose Countable or Uncountable?
Goose is a countable noun meaning individual birds can be counted. For example:
- I saw three geese in the park today
- We have twenty geese on our farm
It should not be treated as a collective uncountable noun like “poultry” which references an undifferentiated mass rather than individuals.
The Definition and Origin of Goose
Goose comes from an Old English word ‘gos’ meaning “large waterbird”. This irregular plural word has been used in the English language since before the 1200s.
So Why is it Geese Instead of Goose or Gooses?
Like man/men and foot/feet, goose belongs to a class of English nouns that form plurals by altering vowels in their spelling rather than just adding -s or -es. T
his mutation plural type was more common in Old and Middle English.
Though the original reasons behind certain words following this pattern have been lost over centuries of language change, these irregular plurals persist in modern English.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using “gooses” as the plural form instead of “geese”
- Referring to multiple geese collectively as one “goose”
- Using the term “gooses” for a flock of geese in a non-standard way
- Treating goose as an uncountable noun like “poultry”
Other plurals:
In Conclusion
The plural of goose is the irregular plural geese. This mutation of the vowel is an archaic form that has continued into modern English though the reason behind it has been lost.
When referring to more than one goose, be sure to use “geese” to avoid mistakes.
It is helpful to memorize irregular plurals like geese, feet, and children rather than attempting to apply logic or regular rules. Mastering little tricky bits of English like this helps build greater vocabulary and understanding.
Quick Reference Guide
- One goose
- Two geese
- A gaggle of geese
I hope this clears up the confusion over the plural of goose!
