Puzzling Plurals Part 3

Criteria

Don’t Say: Sense of humor was her only criteria in choosing a man.
Say Instead: Sense of humor was her only criterion in choosing a man.

Here’s Why: “Criteria” is the plural of “criterion,” a word of Greek origin that means “standard” or “measure.” In this sentence, the woman has only one measure by which she judges men acceptable or not, so we should use the singular “criterion,” and wish her the best of luck. Separately, remember to use a plural verb whenever “criteria” is your subject. For example, it’s the criteria are and not the criteria is. Additional correct examples are:

The snooty club’s board of directors established a list of 60 criteria for membership. He’s such a simple man that his criterion for happiness is having enough ice for his soda. Julie asked what the opera company’s criteria were for screening chorus members.
Is looking good in red really a fair criterion for this job?


Phenomena

Don’t Say: Incredible phenomenons happen all around us every day if you know where to look.
Say Instead: Incredible phenomena happen all around us every day if you know where to look.

Here’s Why: “Phenomenon,” which also comes to us from Greek, means an event that is observed through the senses rather than by thought. The plural form is “phenomena” not “phenomenons.”


Memoranda

Don’t Say: I typed memorandums today until my fingers cramped up.
Say Instead: I typed memoranda today until my fingers cramped up.

Here’s Why: Okay, so you probably don’t use the full word every day; you just say “memo” or “memos” instead. And that’s fine. But when you do use the full word, remember that the plural form of “memorandum” is not “memorandums,” it’s “memoranda.”