specimens
The plural of "specimen" is specimens.
Most English nouns form the plural by adding -s, and specimen follows this rule.
Meaning: an example of something, or a sample for testing (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Use a plural verb with specimens: the specimens are. The possessive plural adds only an apostrophe: specimens'.
How do you pronounce it?
specimen is pronounced /ˈspɛsɪmɪn/. The plural ending sounds like /z/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use an apostrophe to make a plural. specimens means more than one, while an apostrophe shows that something belongs to someone.
Did you know?
- The spoken plural ending has three sounds: /s/ after sounds like p, t and k, /ɪz/ after hissing sounds like s and ch and /z/ everywhere else.
Examples in context
- The museum has ten specimens of this beetle.Singular: The museum has one specimen of this beetle.
- The specimens were sent to the lab.Singular: The specimen was sent to the lab.
