“Hypothesis” is often a word that sends shivers down the spines of students and makes professors’ eyes light up. Maybe because it has a fancy Greek root (“hypo” = under, “thesis” = placing). And the plural is not as straightforward as adding an “s” at the end.
No, no, no. We’re dealing with a word that loves to keep things interesting. Gladly, this article is about to crack this nut open like a science experiment.
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Contents
Now, here’s the deal
The usual suspect for the plural of “hypothesis” is “hypotheses”. Yes, just add that “-es” ending and you’re good to go. Most dictionaries will give you this as the go-to plural form, and it’s perfectly acceptable in most situations.
You can confidently say things like, “The researchers tested several hypotheses” or “My cat has a million hypotheses about where his missing yarn ball went.”
You need to understand this
Just like a good scientific study, we gotta consider alternative explanations. See, “hypothesis” comes from Greek, and in Greek, there’s this whole other way of making plurals for words ending in “-sis.”
It involves adding “-ses” instead of “-es.” Some folks, especially those with a deep love for the classics, prefer to stick to this Greek-y plural form.
So, you might encounter “hypotheseses” in academic writing or among language enthusiasts.
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Now, here’s the thing
While “hypotheseses” is technically correct, it’s not exactly common in everyday speech. It can sound a bit stuffy like you’re trying to show off your fancy vocabulary.
Unless you’re writing a dissertation on ancient Greek grammar, “hypotheses” is the safer bet. But, if you’re feeling fly and want to impress your professor with your linguistic prowess, go for it!
Just be prepared for some raised eyebrows and maybe even a chuckle or two.
A closer look at the verdict
Ultimately, the choice is yours, my friend.
Whether you stick to the classic “hypotheses” or take a walk on the wild side with “hypotheseses,” just remember: the important thing is to understand the concept behind the pluralization and to use it with confidence.
Now, let’s get creative with some examples
How can we use the plural of hypothesis in a sentence without getting some raised eyebrow?
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Here are a few examples:
“The scientist’s mind buzzed with a swarm of hypotheses, each vying for dominance in the petri dish of her imagination.”
“The artist stared at the blank canvas, her brush poised like a question mark, ready to give birth to a constellation of hypotheses.”
Did you see how the plural form adds a touch of intrigue, a hint of possibility, to the scene? It’s like sprinkling magic dust on your writing, transforming it from a dull monologue to a vibrant, multi-faceted dialogue.
Final Thoughts
Now you have it! The plural of “hypothesis” laid bare. It is time to go forth and spread your newfound knowledge, one hypothesis (or maybe even hypotheseses) at a time!
The goal is to clearly reach out to your audience without flooding your writing or sentences with grammatical errors.