You know the mighty salmon, I do too and It’s a fish! It may have been your source of delicious meals and epic fishing stories. But have you ever stopped to ponder about what to call them in their numbers? Gladly, this article will let you know.
Contents
A Look Into The Plural Form of “Salmon”
Imagine you’re casting your line into a sparkling stream, hoping to catch a magnificent salmon. And instead of a salmon, you reel in a whole school of these silvery beauties. Do you yell, “I caught salmons!” or do you maintain the singular “salmon”? The answer can go both ways!
READ ALSO: Facts about the Plural of Crisis
Let’s See How This Works
The most common and accepted plural form is simply… “salmon.” Yes, that’s right. Just like with deer, or sheep, “salmon” acts as both singular and plural.
So, you can say, “I saw a salmon leaping upstream” or “I grilled some delicious salmon last night.” Both sentences perfectly convey the number of fish involved.
But there’s a twist to it. Some folks, perhaps yearning for a bit more grammatical affluence, opt for the less common “salmons.”
This form, while technically correct, is less frequently used and might raise an eyebrow or two. Think of it as the troublesome cousin of the plain “salmon” It gets the job done, but it might spark a conversation about word choice.
So, Which Should You Use?
Ultimately, the choice between “salmon” and “salmons” is yours. Both are valid, and the meaning will be clear regardless.
- Formal Setting: Stick to the traditional “salmon.” It’s clear, concise, and won’t spike any grammatical argument.
- Casual Conversation: Either “salmon” or “salmons” works here. Let your inner self decide.
- Creative Writing: If you’re crafting a story or poem, “salmons” might add a touch of old-fashioned charm, if not more.
READ ALSO: Tips To Mastering the Plural of Series
You Can Go Beyond The Basics
Let’s also talk about some informal ways to do this.
1. Collective Nouns: You want to get fancy? You can make use of a collective noun like “school” or “run” to refer to a group of salmon.
“A school of salmon shimmered in the sunlight” sounds much more poetic than “a bunch of salmon,” don’t you think?
2. Species Identification: If you’re talking about different species of salmon, like pink salmon or chinook salmon, you can use the plural “species” to be extra clear. “We studied the various species of salmons in the river.”
READ ALSO: How to Use the Plural of Buffalo in Everyday Conversation
Final Thoughts
As elaborated, the plural form of salmon is flexible much like the fish itself. But don’t forget the most important thing, which is to be clear and pass your words effectively.
So, whether you stick to the classic “salmon” or embrace the not-so-common “salmons,” just keep those facts flowing.