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Flock of geese called6/18/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() It’s important to note that the apostrophe placement in the possessive plural form of “geese” is different from other plural forms that follow standard pluralization rules. If you disagree, try saying them with the typical possessive apostrophe-s. Other possessive plurals that end with ‘s’ or ‘es’ that use a similar possessive form include: However, if we’re talking about the possession of multiple geese, we simply add an apostrophe ONLY after the plural form “geese”.įor example: “The geese’ migration patterns are fascinating to study” or “The geese’ feathers were scattered all around the farmyard.”ĭon’t fall into the trap of adding the apostrophe-‘s’ to the end of geese! In English, generally one tries to avoid any possessive form of a word that adds a third sibilant consonant: an “s” or “z” sound. If we’re referring to the possession of a single goose or an uncountable noun form of the animal, we use the standard apostrophe and ‘s’ rule to create the possessive form.įor example, “The goose’s feathers were beautiful” and “The noise of the goose’s honking is unbearable.” In the case of “goose” and “geese”, their possessive forms depend on the context of use. However, when it comes to plural possessive forms of irregular plurals like “geese”, the rules can be a bit tricky. Things get more complicated! To create the possessive plural forms of words, generally we add an apostrophe and an ‘s’ to the end of the word. What are the Possessive Plural Forms of “Goose”?īuckle up, reader. Whether you’re discussing wildlife or sharing a recipe, don’t forget to use the plural form of this beloved bird correctly. While it may seem confusing at first, it is important to understand the rules of irregular plurals to communicate effectively in writing and speech. In fact, the word “goose” and its irregular plural “geese” is a pretty unique grammatical artifact of the English language, and we will learn more on that in just a bit. The use of geese as an irregular plural is thought to have developed over time due to the influence of Old Norse and Middle Low German languages, which were spoken in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. The word “goose” itself is an Old English word, and its plural form “geese” comes from the same linguistic roots. In short, if you don’t pop an ‘s’ on the end of its name when describing a group of critters, it is an irregular plural Many other animals also have irregular plural forms of their name, such as mice, deer, sheep, moose and oxen, among others. “Geese” is an Irregular PluralĪn irregular plural, as the name suggests, is the plural form of a word that does not follow the standard rules of English for pluralizing- sticking an ‘s’ on the end! Such is the case with the word “goose” as its plural form is geese. Their meat is known for its rich flavor and they are often used in traditional dishes, such as roast goose with apple and sage stuffing. Geese are also popular in many cultures as a source of food, particularly during festive occasions like Christmas and Thanksgiving. There are many species of geese that vary in size and behavior, but they are generally known for their loud honking calls and distinctive V-shaped flights. They are found in many parts of the world, particularly in the temperate and colder regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Geese are water birds that belong to the family of Anatidae, which includes ducks and swans. But there is a lot more to learn about the grammar conventions associated with geese and also related taxonomical facts below. “Goose” is not functional as a plural and “gooses” is not actually a word, so you should never use it. “Geese” is the only correct plural form of “goose”. ![]() Let’s consider the humble goose for a moment: is the plural form of goose “goose”, “gooses” or something else? Take the plural forms of various things, including animals. Full of confusing and contradictory rules, and seemingly non-sensical words, it is baffling! But even if you have spoken English for your whole life there are some befuddling turns of phrase in our tongue. ![]()
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