Difficult pluralisms

[Vermilion]

OK. The Plural of 'rostrum'

Rostrums or rostra?

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[minsue]

Either is considered correct, but I would use rostra.

 

[Guest]

My dictionary says both rostrums and rostra are fine. I'd just see how it sounds in the context you are using it, which reads better to you.

 

[kendo1]

.....

 

[Vermilion]

Well I'd say rostrums would be the most generally comprehensible to readers, non?
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[gauchecritic]

As with mongooses.

Whilst walking by the riverside I saw a mongoose that was with another mongoose.

 

[damppanties]

As with mongooses.

Whilst walking by the riverside I saw a mongoose that was with another mongoose.

Mongii.

 

[kendo1]

.....

 

[damppanties]

Mongeese! Minsues!

BWAHAHAHAHAAA!!

 

[Vermilion]

OK. Not a plural, but it's giving me difficulty.

The word I want to say is 'predatorily'... in a predatorial way... is that a real word?
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[kendo1]

.....

 

[gauchecritic]

OK. Not a plural, but it's giving me difficulty.

The word I want to say is 'predatorily'... in a predatorial way... is that a real word?
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avoid words that end with 'ly'.

 

[Grushenka]

The word I want to say is 'predatorily'... in a predatorial way... is that a real word?

Predatorial (as well as predatorious) has for some time (a couple centuries) been considered an obscurity. Adding -ly to anything is often an error, or at the very least lazy.

 

[Seattle Zack]

As a cruciverbalist, ROSTRA is certainly acceptable. In fact, it's a great word, in some grids.

 

[SimonBrooke]

OK. The Plural of 'rostrum'

Rostrums or rostra?

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'Rostra'. 'Rostums' is for ignorami

 

[SimonBrooke]

Predatorial (as well as predatorious) has for some time (a couple centuries) been considered an obscurity. Adding -ly to anything is often an error, or at the very least lazy.

Rules like this exist to be broken, and all good literature breaks rules. But break rules warily, and with specific intent. I'd certainly use an obscure or invented word where I thought it would catch the reader's attention.