The plural forms of certain English words can sometimes be challenging to grasp. Let’s say you want to know how to say “more than one goose.”
It might look hard, but the answer is easy: geese is the plural of goose.
You say “geese” for more than one goose, just like you say “mice” for more than one mouse.
The next time you see a group of these birds in a park or a farm, you should know that they are geese, not gooses.
What is the Plural of Goose in English?
The plural of “goose” is “geese.”
Goose is an example of an irregular noun in English.
Most other nouns are known as regular nouns. Such nouns are simple to convert into plural form. Simply adding an -s or -es to make them plural.
Eg: “cat” becoming “cats.”
But when you change an irregular noun, you generally change the vowels inside the word.
Eg: ‘goose’ changes the vowels from ‘oo’ to ‘ee,’ which makes its plural form ‘geese.’
Remember, “geese” is correct, while “gooses” is not.
Examples of Using the Plural of Goose in A Sentence
“Look at those geese flying overhead!”
“We went to the farm and fed the geese near the pond.”
“During migration season, we often see large groups of geese heading south.”
“The sunset on the horizon provided a beautiful backdrop for the geese swimming in the lake.”
“Watching geese squabble over breadcrumbs at the park is always amusing.”
The children were delighted when they saw the baby geese following their mother.”
“I have raised two geese this year.”
Plural of Goose in UK vs US English
There is no difference between UK and US English in the use of the plural form of goose. In both dialects, the correct plural form is “geese”.
Using “gooses” as the plural form of “goose” is incorrect in standard English, regardless of whether you are using UK or US spelling conventions.
- Singular Form: Goose
- Plural Form: Geese
- Applies to: UK and US English
In terms of pronunciation, there may be slight regional variations in how “goose” and “geese” are pronounced, but these differences do not affect the written form. The spelling remains consistent across a variety of English-speaking regions.
What Term is Used for a Group of Geese?
The word ‘geese’ is not applicable when you are referring to one group or one collection of these birds.
On the ground, a group of geese is commonly referred to as a gaggle.
In the air, a group in flight is generally known as a skein. When the geese are flying in a V formation, they are called a wedge.
Here’s a quick breakdown for clarity:
- On the Ground: Gaggle
- In General Flight: Skein
- Flying in V Formation: Wedge
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there other words in English like ‘goose’ that change in the middle for their plurals?
Yes, there are other words in English that follow this pattern, though they are relatively few. Examples include ‘man’ to ‘men’, ‘woman’ to ‘women’, ‘tooth’ to ‘teeth’, and ‘foot’ to ‘feet’.
Is it ever correct to say ‘gooses’?
While ‘gooses’ is not the traditional plural form of ‘goose’, it can be used in certain contexts. For example, when referring to multiple types of goose species, it may be acceptable to say ‘gooses’. However, in general usage, ‘geese’ is the accepted plural form.
Does the plural form ‘geese’ apply to all types of goose?
Yes, the plural form ‘geese’ applies to all types of goose, regardless of species. For instance, you would say ‘Canada geese’ or ‘snow geese’.
