When it comes to the English language, plurals can sometimes be tricky. This is especially true when it comes to irregular plural nouns like “salmon.” So what exactly is the plural form of salmon? Let’s break it down.
A Quick Overview on Salmon
Before jumping into the plural form, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page regarding salmon in general. Salmon are a species of fish that are born in freshwater rivers, migrate to the ocean where they live most of their lives, and then return to their original freshwater rivers to spawn and die.
There are five species of Pacific salmon as well as Atlantic salmon. Salmon are anadromous, meaning they transition between fresh and saltwater throughout their lifecycle. They are a popular food source and game fish across many parts of the world.
Now that we’ve got a handle on salmon themselves, let’s look at how to make the word plural.
The Plural of Salmon is…Salmon!
This may seem confusing at first, but the plural form of salmon is actually just salmon. For example:
- There is one salmon in the river.
- There are many salmon in the river.
See? Both singular and plural follow the same form – salmon.
This is because salmon falls into the category of irregular plural nouns in English Like “deer,” “sheep,” and “fish,” salmon does not change its spelling to become plural
So if you’re referring to multiple salmon, do not add an “s” on the end Just use salmon by itself in both singular and plural contexts.
Why Doesn’t Salmon Follow Plural Rules?
Typically in English, plurals are formed by adding “s” or “es” to the end of singular nouns. For example:
- Cat -> Cats
- Bus -> Buses
However, some irregular nouns in English don’t follow this standard convention. Salmon is one of those words.
Other irregular plural examples include:
- Deer
- Sheep
- Fish
- Moose
So salmon follows suit by remaining unchanged between its singular and plural forms. While it may seem unusual at first, it does conform to plural patterns of similar nouns.
Is “Salmons” Ever Correct?
Since the irregular plural of salmon is just salmon, using “salmons” is generally seen as grammatically incorrect in standard English.
However, there are a couple cases where “salmons” may be acceptable:
-
When referring to multiple salmon species rather than individual fish (e.g. “There are 5 species of salmons in this river”)
-
In certain regional dialects like Scottish English where “salmons” is more commonly used
Unless you’re using it in the ways described above, though, stick to just “salmon” as the plural form. Saying “salmons” will be seen as improper in most contexts.
Examples of Proper Salmon Plural Usage
To clear up any remaining confusion, here are some examples of the plural salmon being used correctly:
- “The salmon are swimming upstream to spawn.”
- “Many wild salmon populations are declining around the world.”
- “We saw a large school of salmon during our fishing trip.”
- “Salmon is an important food source for coastal grizzly bears.”
- “Five species of salmon can be found in the Pacific Northwest.”
As you can see, the plural is always just “salmon,” no matter if you’re talking about one fish or many.
An Important Exception
There is one scenario where using “salmons” is considered acceptable. When referring to multiple types or species of salmon, “salmons” can be used. For example:
- “There are 5 species of salmons that migrate through this river each year.”
In this case, “salmons” indicates distinct salmon species rather than individual fish. Using the irregular plural salmon to refer to types rather than numbers can get confusing, so “salmons” is allowed in this context.
Outside of referring to species, though, be sure to stick with the standard English grammar of “salmon” for both singular and plural.
The Takeaway
While irregular plurals like salmon may seem tricky at first, the rules are actually quite simple:
- The plural of salmon is salmon
- Don’t add an “s” – the plural is the same spelling as the singular
- Using “salmons” is generally incorrect except when referring to multiple salmon species
So the next time you’re writing or speaking about more than one salmon, you’ll know that both singular and plural forms follow the same spelling. Just use “salmon” and you’ll have the plural form down pat!
Are You Good at Plurals?Here’s a quick test.
| Type | Example of Type | Forming the Plural | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Nouns |  cat scythe |
add s | cats scythes |
| Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z | bus dress |
add es | buses dresses |
| Nouns ending [consonant] o | mango zero tomato |
add either s or es (There are no rules for this – you have to know.) | mangoes or mangos zeros tomatoes |
| Nouns ending [vowel] o | patio ratio |
add s | patios ratios |
| Nouns ending [consonant] y | story penny |
change the y to an i and add es | stories pennies |
| Nouns ending [vowel] y | storey ( ) donkey |
add s | storeys donkeys |
| Nouns ending f or fe | dwarf knife |
ves and/or s (There are no rules – you have to know.) | dwarfs knives |
| Exceptions | goose louse |
some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change | geese lice |
| More exceptions | salmon salmon |
some nouns do not change at all | salmon salmon |
What Is the Plural of Salmon?
The Quick Answer The plural of “salmon” is “salmon.” The plural of “salmon” is “salmon.”
- Salmon are intensively farmed in many parts of the world.
- Nearly all captured wild salmon are Pacific salmon.
What’s the plural of “Salmon, Deer and Fish? ماهو جمع سمكة، غزال و سلمون ؟ #shorts
FAQ
What is a group of salmon called?
Though fun fact: a group of salmon are called a “bind,” “run,” or “draught.” #
What is the plural of salmon and trout?
Trout is both singular and plural. Salmon is both singular and plural. More than one trout can also be trouts (plural). More than one salmon can be salmons (plural). Trouts and salmons are acceptable plurals, just not used as frequently.
What is the plural form?
The plural form of a word is the way it’s written or said when referring to more than one of something. It’s used to indicate that there are two or more items, people, or concepts rather than just one.
Is salmon a plural word?
In English, some nouns don’t change in their plural form, and “salmon” happens to be one of them. This means that whether you’re talking about one salmon or multiple salmon, you would still use the word “salmon.” So, if you were to see a group of fish swimming together in a river, you could say, “Look at all those salmon!”
What does salmon mean?
Definition of salmon. Origin of salmon. Synonyms for salmon. Like other types of fish, (and the word “fish”), salmon stays the same as a singular and plural. To refer to multiple salmon, use salmon.
Is salmon a countable noun?
While “salmon” is mostly uncountable, it can be used as a countable noun when referring to specific, individual fish or distinct species or groups. I caught three salmon yesterday. The market sells wild salmon and farmed salmon. There are many salmon swimming upstream.
Is salmon a fish?
Salmon is a large anadromous salmonid fish of the North Atlantic noted as a game and food fish. It is also used to refer to various anadromous salmonid fishes other than the salmon, and a fish resembling a salmon. Salmon is a popular fish that is consumed by people all over the world. It is known for its pink flesh and delicious taste.
Should salmon be spelled with a s?
Adding an “s” to make “salmons” is generally seen as grammatically incorrect, unless referring to multiple salmon species or in certain regional dialects. When in doubt, stick with “salmon” for the plural and you’ll be safely following standard English grammar.
How do you say salmon in a sentence?
If you are discussing a single fish, you say “salmon.” If you are referring to multiple fish, “salmon” remains the same. For example, “I caught a salmon” and “We caught several salmon” both use the word “salmon” correctly, despite referring to one or multiple fish.