If you write or speak about communication, art, or science, you will often need the plural of medium. The direct answer is that medium has two correct plurals: media and mediums. Which one you choose depends entirely on the meaning. Media is the standard plural when referring to communication channels (news, television, social media) or artistic materials (paint, clay, digital tools). Mediums is the correct plural when referring to spiritual psychics or, in some technical contexts, specific types of substances or environments. The most common mistake is using media as a singular noun or using mediums when you mean communication outlets. This guide will help you avoid those errors with clear rules, examples, and practice.
Quick Answer: Media vs. Mediums
| Context | Correct Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|
| News, advertising, social platforms | Media | The media covered the story widely. |
| Art materials (oil, watercolor, digital) | Media | She works in several media, including acrylic and charcoal. |
| Spiritual psychics or clairvoyants | Mediums | Two mediums held a séance. |
| Scientific growth environments (biology) | Media (or mediums in some technical texts) | The bacteria were cultured in liquid media. |
| Intermediate states or sizes | Mediums | We offer small, large, and two mediums. |
If you mean “the press” or “news outlets,” always use media. If you mean a person who communicates with spirits, always use mediums. For art and science, media is far more common, but mediums appears in some specialized writing.
Understanding the Two Plurals
The word medium comes from Latin, where the plural is media. English has kept this Latin plural for many of the word’s meanings, especially those related to communication and art. However, English also allows the regular plural mediums for meanings that feel more concrete or less abstract. This dual-plural situation is similar to words like criterion/criteria or datum/data, but medium is unique because both plurals are widely accepted in different contexts.
When to Use “Media”
Media is the plural you will use most often. It covers three main areas:
- Communication channels: newspapers, television, radio, internet, social platforms. Example: “The media have a responsibility to report accurately.”
- Artistic materials: the tools and substances an artist uses. Example: “Oil and watercolor are two different media.”
- Scientific growth substances: the liquid or gel used to grow microorganisms. Example: “The lab prepared several culture media.”
In all these cases, media is treated as a plural noun. It takes plural verbs and pronouns: “The media are covering the election,” not “The media is covering the election.” However, in informal conversation, many native speakers treat media as a singular mass noun (like “news”), saying “The media is biased.” This is very common but still considered informal or nonstandard in careful academic and professional writing.
When to Use “Mediums”
Mediums is the regular English plural. Use it for:
- Spiritual psychics: people who claim to communicate with the dead. Example: “Several mediums participated in the investigation.”
- Intermediate sizes or states: when you mean a middle option. Example: “The store sells small, large, and two mediums.”
- Specific technical contexts: some scientific or technical fields use mediums to refer to distinct types of substances or environments, especially when they are countable and individual. Example: “Different growth mediums were tested.” (Here, media is also correct, but mediums emphasizes each as a separate entity.)
Natural Examples
Here are examples from real writing situations:
Formal academic writing:
“The study analyzed how various media outlets framed the debate. The researchers examined both print and digital media.”
Business email:
“Please send the press release to all major media contacts. We want coverage across multiple media channels.”
Art class conversation:
“I prefer working in mixed media. My favorite media are ink and collage.”
Spiritual context:
“The two mediums gave very different readings. Both mediums claimed to sense a presence.”
Everyday conversation:
“I ordered a small coffee, but they gave me a medium. Actually, they gave me two mediums by mistake.”
Common Mistakes
Here are the errors English learners make most often with the plural of medium:
Mistake 1: Using “Media” as a Singular Noun
Incorrect: “The media is not reporting this story fairly.”
Correct (formal): “The media are not reporting this story fairly.”
Note: In casual speech, “media is” is extremely common and accepted. But in essays, reports, or professional emails, use “media are” to show you know the plural form.
Mistake 2: Using “Mediums” for News or Art
Incorrect: “She works in several different mediums, including oil and pastel.”
Correct: “She works in several different media, including oil and pastel.”
Note: Some art critics use mediums to refer to specific types of paint, but media is the standard choice in most art writing.
Mistake 3: Confusing “Medium” with “Median”
Incorrect: “The medium age of the group was 30.”
Correct: “The median age of the group was 30.”
Note: Medium means middle in size or degree; median is a statistical term for the middle value.
Mistake 4: Forgetting the Context
Incorrect: “The mediums have been very critical of the government.” (if you mean news outlets)
Correct: “The media have been very critical of the government.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you can avoid the confusion entirely by choosing a different word. Here are alternatives for each context:
| Instead of | Consider | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Media (as a singular) | Press, news outlets, journalism | When you want to be specific and avoid the singular/plural debate |
| Media (art) | Materials, techniques, formats | When discussing specific artistic tools |
| Mediums (spiritual) | Psychics, clairvoyants, channels | When you want a clearer, less ambiguous term |
| Mediums (size) | Middle sizes, intermediate options | In retail or product descriptions |
Using these alternatives can make your writing clearer, especially if your reader might not know the media/mediums distinction.
Formal vs. Informal Tone
Understanding the tone helps you choose the right plural:
- Formal academic/professional: Use media as a plural. “The media have reported…” Treat it like data or criteria.
- Informal conversation: Media as a singular is fine. “The media is everywhere.” Most native speakers do this.
- Spiritual or technical specificity: Use mediums when you mean individual psychics or distinct substances. This is correct in both formal and informal contexts.
In email, match your tone to your audience. A formal email to a professor should use “the media are,” while a casual note to a colleague can use “the media is.”
Mini Practice: Test Yourself
Choose the correct plural for each sentence. Answers are below.
1. The artist works in several different ______, including photography and sculpture.
a) media
b) mediums
2. The ______ have been accused of bias in their coverage.
a) media
b) mediums
3. Two ______ claimed to have contacted the spirit of the deceased.
a) media
b) mediums
4. The lab tested three different growth ______ for the bacteria.
a) media
b) mediums
Answers: 1. a (media), 2. a (media), 3. b (mediums), 4. a (media) — though b is also acceptable in some technical contexts.
FAQ: Common Questions About the Plural of Medium
Q1: Is “media” singular or plural?
Strictly, media is the plural of medium. However, in modern English, especially in informal contexts, media is often used as a singular mass noun (like “news” or “information”). For formal writing, treat it as plural: “The media are…”
Q2: Can I use “mediums” for art materials?
Yes, but it is less common. Some art critics and technical writers use mediums to refer to specific types of paint or binders. For example, “acrylic mediums” is a common term in art supply stores. However, in general art writing, media is preferred.
Q3: What is the plural of “social media”?
Social media is already a plural phrase. You can say “social media platforms” or “social media channels” to be clearer. Avoid “social medias” — this is incorrect.
Q4: How do I know which plural to use in my writing?
Ask yourself: Am I talking about communication, art, or science? Use media. Am I talking about a psychic or a specific substance? Use mediums. When in doubt, check a dictionary or style guide. Most style guides (like APA or Chicago) recommend media as the plural for all meanings except spiritual psychics.
Final Tips for Remembering
Think of media as the “big picture” plural — it covers broad categories like news, art, and science. Think of mediums as the “specific item” plural — it points to individual people or distinct objects. If you remember that media is for abstract or collective ideas and mediums is for concrete, countable things, you will rarely make a mistake.
For more help with tricky plurals, explore our guides on Confusing Plurals or visit our FAQ page for common questions. If you need a quick reference for other plural rules, check our Plural Spelling Rules section. For questions about singular versus plural usage, see Singular or Plural Checks. And for a broader overview of regular and irregular plurals, browse Common Plural Forms.
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