What Is the Plural of Alumnus?
If you are writing about graduates of a school, college, or university, the plural of alumnus is alumni. This is the standard plural form used in both formal and informal English. However, the word alumnus comes from Latin, and English has kept some of its original grammar, which can cause confusion. This guide explains the correct plural, how to use it in different contexts, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Quick Answer
Alumnus (singular) → Alumni (plural). Use alumni when referring to a group of male graduates or a mixed-gender group. For a group of female graduates, use alumnae.
Understanding the Latin Roots
The word alumnus is a Latin noun that means “foster son” or “pupil.” In English, it refers to a person who has attended or graduated from a particular school, college, or university. Because English borrowed this word directly from Latin, it follows Latin pluralization rules rather than the usual English pattern of adding -s or -es.
Here is the basic breakdown:
- Alumnus – one male graduate (or gender-neutral in some modern usage)
- Alumna – one female graduate
- Alumni – multiple male graduates OR a mixed-gender group
- Alumnae – multiple female graduates
In everyday writing, alumni is the most common plural form, especially when the gender of the group is mixed or unknown.
Comparison Table: Alumnus vs. Alumni vs. Alumna vs. Alumnae
| Form | Number | Gender | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alumnus | Singular | Male (or neutral) | He is an alumnus of Harvard University. |
| Alumna | Singular | Female | She is an alumna of Yale University. |
| Alumni | Plural | Male or mixed | The alumni gathered for the reunion. |
| Alumnae | Plural | Female | The alumnae organized a scholarship fund. |
When to Use “Alumni”
Alumni is the safest and most widely accepted plural form. You can use it in almost any situation where you are referring to more than one graduate, regardless of gender. It works well in formal writing, such as university newsletters, fundraising letters, and official reports, as well as in casual conversation.
Formal vs. Informal Tone
In formal writing, stick to alumni for mixed groups. For example:
- Formal: The university’s alumni network includes professionals from over 50 countries.
- Informal: A lot of alumni showed up at the game.
If you are writing an email to a specific group of female graduates, you might choose alumnae to be precise. However, many people now use alumni as a gender-neutral term in all contexts.
Email and Conversation Context
In an email, you can write:
- “Dear Alumni,” (to a mixed group)
- “Dear Alumnae,” (to a group of women)
In conversation, people often say “alums” as a short, informal alternative. For example: “I met some alums from my college at the conference.” This is perfectly acceptable in casual speech.
Natural Examples
Here are examples of how alumni appears in real writing and speech:
- The alumni association sent out a newsletter last week.
- Many alumni return to campus for homecoming weekend.
- She is an alumna of the class of 2010.
- The school’s alumni include several Nobel Prize winners.
- We are looking for alumni volunteers to mentor current students.
Common Mistakes
Even native speakers sometimes mix up these forms. Here are the most frequent errors:
- Using “alumni” as a singular noun. Incorrect: “He is an alumni of MIT.” Correct: “He is an alumnus of MIT.”
- Using “alumnus” for a group. Incorrect: “The alumnus are meeting tonight.” Correct: “The alumni are meeting tonight.”
- Confusing “alumna” and “alumnus.” Incorrect: “She is an alumnus of Oxford.” Correct: “She is an alumna of Oxford.”
- Using “alumnae” for a mixed group. Incorrect: “The alumnae from both men and women attended.” Correct: “The alumni from both men and women attended.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
If you are unsure about Latin plurals, you have simpler options:
- Graduates – Use this in most formal and informal writing. Example: “The graduates of the program are doing well.”
- Alums – A casual, gender-neutral alternative. Example: “The alums are planning a reunion.”
- Former students – Clear and precise. Example: “Former students are invited to the event.”
When to use each:
- Use graduates in official documents or when you want to avoid Latin terms.
- Use alums in emails to friends or social media posts.
- Use former students when speaking to a general audience that may not be familiar with academic jargon.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct form for each sentence. Answers are below.
- She is an (alumnus / alumna) of Stanford University.
- The (alumni / alumnus) from the class of 1995 meet every year.
- Many (alumnae / alumni) from the women’s college attended the event.
- He is a proud (alumni / alumnus) of the university.
Answers:
- alumna (because the subject is female)
- alumni (plural group)
- alumnae (if the group is all female; alumni is also acceptable)
- alumnus (singular male)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use “alumni” for one person?
No. Alumni is always plural. For one person, use alumnus (male) or alumna (female).
2. Is “alumni” gender-neutral?
In modern usage, yes. Many institutions use alumni to refer to any group of graduates, regardless of gender. However, some prefer alumnae for all-female groups.
3. What is the plural of “alumna”?
The plural of alumna is alumnae. It refers to a group of female graduates.
4. Should I use “alumni” or “alums” in a professional email?
It depends on the tone. Alumni is more formal and appropriate for official correspondence. Alums is casual and better for informal messages or social media.
Final Note
Remembering the difference between alumnus and alumni comes down to number: one person is an alumnus or alumna, and two or more are alumni or alumnae. When in doubt, use alumni for mixed groups or when you are not sure. For everyday writing, graduates or former students are always safe choices. If you have more questions about plural forms, explore our guides on Common Plural Forms or check our FAQ for additional help. For any concerns about accuracy, please see our Editorial Policy.
