Which is the plural of tomato? The Definitive American Guide

Which is the plural of tomato? The Definitive American Guide

For many of us, the humble tomato is a staple in our kitchens. From slicing them onto sandwiches to simmering them into sauces, tomatoes are incredibly versatile. But when we talk about more than one of these delicious fruits (yes, they're botanically fruits!), a common question arises: What is the plural of tomato?

The answer, for most English speakers, especially here in the United States, is quite straightforward and follows a common pattern for words ending in 'o'.

The Standard American English Plural: Tomatoes

In American English, the most widely accepted and overwhelmingly used plural of "tomato" is tomatoes. This aligns with the general rule for many English nouns that end in '-o'. When a noun ends in a vowel followed by 'o', the plural is typically formed by adding '-s'.

Think of other common words:

• Potato -> Potatoes
• Hero -> Heroes
• Echo -> Echoes

While "tomatoes" is the standard, you might occasionally encounter discussions about an older, less common variant.

A Historical and Less Common Variant: Tomato's

Historically, and in some contexts, you might have seen or heard the plural referred to as "tomato's". This form stems from an older grammatical convention where words ending in '-o' sometimes took an apostrophe and an 's' to form their plural. This was more common in the 18th and 19th centuries.

However, this usage has largely fallen out of favor in modern English, particularly in American English. Using "tomato's" as a plural today is generally considered incorrect and can sound archaic or simply wrong to most native speakers. It's also important to distinguish this from the possessive form, "the tomato's flavor" (belonging to one tomato).

Why the Confusion?

The confusion often arises due to a few factors:

• Irregular Plurals: English is notorious for its irregular plurals (e.g., child/children, mouse/mice). Some people may incorrectly assume "tomato" follows a similar pattern.
• Outdated Grammar Guides: Older grammar books or resources might reflect the historical usage of the apostrophe-s plural for some words ending in 'o'.
• Regional Differences: While less pronounced for "tomato," some English plurals can vary slightly between American and British English. However, "tomatoes" is the dominant form in both.

A Quick Grammar Reminder: Nouns Ending in 'o'

Generally, nouns ending in 'o' in English form their plurals in one of two ways:

1. Adding '-s': This is the most common rule, especially when the 'o' is preceded by a vowel, or for words that have become common in everyday language.
   • Examples: Zoo -> Zoos, Radio -> Radios, Bamboo -> Bamboos, Tomato -> Tomatoes.
2. Adding '-es': This is often used when the 'o' is preceded by a consonant, particularly for words of Latin or Greek origin.
   • Examples: Potato -> Potatoes, Hero -> Heroes, Echo -> Echoes, Mosquito -> Mosquitoes.

It's worth noting that there are exceptions, and some words can have either form (e.g., halo/halos or halo's, although halos is more common). But for "tomato," the rule is quite firm in modern American English.

The Verdict: When you're talking about more than one tomato, the correct and standard plural in American English is tomatoes. Stick with this for clear and natural communication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know when to add '-s' or '-es' to words ending in 'o'?

For most words ending in 'o' that have become common in English, you add '-s'. For words where the 'o' is preceded by a consonant, especially those with roots in Latin or Greek, you often add '-es'. However, there are exceptions, and the most common usage often dictates the plural form over strict etymological rules.

Why is "tomato's" sometimes seen as a plural, even if it's incorrect now?

"Tomato's" as a plural comes from older grammatical conventions where an apostrophe followed by an 's' was a more common way to form plurals for words ending in 'o'. This practice has largely been abandoned for most words, including "tomato," in modern English to avoid confusion with the possessive form.

Are there any other exceptions for plurals ending in 'o' in American English?

Yes, English is full of exceptions! For instance, words like "photo" (short for photograph) pluralize to "photos," not "photoes." Others, like "piano," also become "pianos." It's often best to learn the plural for commonly used words individually, but the "-s" rule after a vowel is a good general guideline.