What Is the Plural of Syllabus?
The plural of syllabus can be either syllabuses or syllabi. Both forms are correct in modern English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. Syllabuses is the standard English plural, following regular rules, and is common in everyday writing and conversation. Syllabi is the Latin-derived plural, often preferred in formal academic writing, university documents, and scholarly contexts. Your choice depends on your audience and the tone you want to set.
Quick Answer
- Syllabuses: The regular English plural. Use it in emails, casual conversation, and general writing.
- Syllabi: The Latin plural. Use it in formal academic papers, official university materials, and when you want to sound more traditional or scholarly.
Both are acceptable. Neither is wrong, but choosing the right one can make your writing feel more natural or more appropriate for the situation.
Understanding the Two Plurals
The word syllabus comes from Latin, where nouns ending in -us often change to -i in the plural (like focus to foci or cactus to cacti). Over time, English speakers began applying regular plural rules, adding -es to form syllabuses. Today, both forms are widely used, and dictionaries list both as correct.
When to Use Syllabuses
Syllabuses is the more straightforward choice. It follows the same pattern as most English nouns, so it feels natural in everyday language. Use it when:
- Writing an email to a colleague or student.
- Speaking in a casual or semi-formal conversation.
- Writing a blog post, newsletter, or general article.
- You want to avoid sounding overly academic or pretentious.
Example: "I need to review all the syllabuses for next semester before the meeting."
When to Use Syllabi
Syllabi carries a more formal, traditional tone. It is especially common in higher education settings, such as university bulletins, academic journals, and official course catalogs. Use it when:
- Writing a formal academic paper or thesis.
- Preparing official university documents or handbooks.
- Addressing an audience of scholars or professors.
- You want to align with traditional academic style guides.
Example: "The department requires all syllabi to be submitted by the end of the week."
Comparison Table: Syllabuses vs. Syllabi
| Feature | Syllabuses | Syllabi |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | English regular plural | Latin plural |
| Formality | Neutral to informal | Formal, academic |
| Common contexts | Emails, conversation, blogs, general writing | University documents, academic papers, official policies |
| Frequency in modern English | Very common | Common in academic settings |
| Reader expectation | Natural, easy to read | Traditional, scholarly |
| Example | "The teacher handed out three syllabuses." | "All syllabi must follow the university template." |
Natural Examples in Context
Seeing how these plurals work in real sentences helps you choose the right one. Here are examples for different situations.
In Email or Conversation (Informal to Neutral)
- "Could you send me the syllabuses for the courses I'm teaching?"
- "I have to update all the syllabuses before the semester starts."
- "We discussed the syllabuses in the staff meeting yesterday."
In Academic or Formal Writing
- "The committee reviewed the syllabi for consistency across departments."
- "All syllabi must include a statement on academic integrity."
- "A comparison of syllabi from different universities revealed significant variation."
Mixed Context (Both Forms Acceptable)
- "The professor asked us to bring our syllabuses to the first class." (natural in speech)
- "The professor asked us to bring our syllabi to the first class." (slightly more formal)
Common Mistakes with the Plural of Syllabus
Even though both forms are correct, learners sometimes make errors. Here are the most frequent ones.
Mistake 1: Using "Syllabuses" in Very Formal Academic Papers
While not wrong, syllabuses can feel out of place in a formal research paper or official university policy. If your audience expects traditional academic language, syllabi is a safer choice.
Fix: Check the style guide of your institution or journal. Many prefer syllabi for formal documents.
Mistake 2: Using "Syllabi" in Casual Conversation
Using syllabi in everyday talk can sound stiff or overly formal. It might make you seem like you are trying too hard.
Fix: In emails to friends or casual chats, stick with syllabuses. It sounds more natural.
Mistake 3: Confusing "Syllabus" with "Curriculum"
A syllabus is a document for a single course. A curriculum covers the entire program of study. The plural of curriculum is curriculums or curricula.
Example: "The syllabus for Biology 101 is one page, but the entire science curriculum is much broader."
Mistake 4: Adding an Apostrophe
Never write syllabus's or syllabi's as a plural. Apostrophes show possession, not plurality.
Correct: "The syllabuses are on the table." (plural)
Correct: "The syllabus's content is clear." (possessive singular)
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you might want to avoid the plural altogether or use a different word for clarity. Here are some alternatives.
Use "Course Outline" or "Course Plan"
If you are writing for a general audience or want to be very clear, course outline or course plan works well. These terms are always regular and easy to understand.
Example: "Please review the course outlines for all your classes."
Use "Syllabus Documents"
When you need to refer to multiple files or papers, syllabus documents is a clear and neutral option.
Example: "I have uploaded the syllabus documents to the shared drive."
Use "Each Syllabus" for Singular Focus
If you are talking about individual items, rephrasing can help you avoid the plural entirely.
Example: "Each syllabus should include a grading rubric."
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the best option for each sentence. Answers are below.
- The professor asked us to bring our __________ to the first seminar.
a) syllabuses
b) syllabi
c) both are correct - In an email to a friend, which sounds more natural?
a) "Can you send me the syllabi for those courses?"
b) "Can you send me the syllabuses for those courses?" - For a formal university policy document, which is more appropriate?
a) "All syllabuses must be submitted by Friday."
b) "All syllabi must be submitted by Friday." - Which sentence is grammatically correct?
a) "The syllabus's are on the desk."
b) "The syllabuses are on the desk."
c) "The syllabi's are on the desk."
Answers
- c) both are correct – In a seminar, either form is fine. Syllabi might feel slightly more formal, but both work.
- b) "Can you send me the syllabuses for those courses?" – In casual email, syllabuses sounds more natural.
- b) "All syllabi must be submitted by Friday." – Formal documents usually prefer the Latin plural.
- b) "The syllabuses are on the desk." – The other options incorrectly use apostrophes for plurals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is "syllabuses" considered incorrect?
No. Syllabuses is a standard English plural and is listed in all major dictionaries. It is widely used and accepted in both formal and informal writing.
2. Which plural should I use in a job application or cover letter?
If you are writing a cover letter for a teaching position, syllabi may sound more professional and aligned with academic norms. However, syllabuses is also fine. Choose based on the tone of the institution.
3. Can I use "syllabi" for a single course?
No. Syllabi is always plural. For one course, use syllabus. For example: "I need to update the syllabus for my history class."
4. Do style guides prefer one form over the other?
Some style guides have preferences. The Chicago Manual of Style and APA Style both accept syllabuses as correct, though syllabi is also common. MLA Style does not have a strict rule. Check your institution's guide if you are unsure.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between syllabuses and syllabi is a matter of context and audience, not correctness. For everyday writing, emails, and conversation, syllabuses is the natural choice. For formal academic work, official documents, or when you want to follow traditional Latin plural patterns, syllabi is appropriate. The most important thing is to be consistent within a single piece of writing. If you start with syllabuses, keep using it. If you choose syllabi, stick with it. This consistency makes your writing clearer and more professional.
For more help with plural forms, visit our Common Plural Forms section or explore Confusing Plurals for similar words. If you have questions, check our FAQ or contact us.
