Tomatoes or Tomato’s? The Correct Plural Spelling in English

The English language can be tricky, especially when it comes to spelling and grammar. One area that often leads to confusion is the correct plural form of words. Take the word “tomato,” for example.

 You might be tempted to write “tomato’s” when referring to more than one, but is that really the right choice? Is it “tomatoes” or “tomato’s”? 

These small nuances in language can make a big difference in how clear and professional your writing appears.

In this article, we’ll explore the rules behind the plural form of “tomato”, clarify why “tomato’s” is incorrect, and break down some common mistakes people make when pluralizing nouns in English. 

By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to handle not just “tomatoes”, but many other English words with similar spelling rules.

So, let’s dive in and unravel the mystery of “tomatoes” vs. “tomato’s”, and make sure you never get caught in this common trap again!

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Understanding the Basics: Singular and Plural Forms

The Singular Form: “Tomato”

To kick things off, let’s start with the singular form. A tomato is a fruit that is commonly used in many dishes, from salads to sauces. Like most nouns, when you refer to a single tomato, you simply use the word “tomato”.

Example sentence:

• I just picked a ripe tomato from the garden.
  

This is a straightforward example, and there’s no confusion here—tomato is the singular form, and we use it when talking about one. But what happens when we want to refer to more than one? Let’s see how the plural form works.

The Plural Form: “Tomatoes”

Now, here comes the interesting part: the plural form. When we want to talk about more than one tomato, the correct form is “tomatoes.”

This follows a simple rule in English. For many nouns that end in an “o”, the plural form is created by adding “es” at the end of the word. So, instead of just “tomato”, we get “tomatoes.”

Example sentence:

• I bought two baskets of tomatoes at the market.
  

This is the form you should use whenever you’re referring to more than one tomato. Keep in mind, this is the standard rule in English, and “tomatoes” is universally accepted as the correct plural form.

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Why “Tomato’s” is Incorrect

Possessive Form: “Tomato’s”

You might be wondering, what about “tomato’s”? If you’ve seen this form, you’re likely thinking it’s just a weird plural. But it’s actually a possessive form, not plural.

The possessive form of a noun is used to show ownership. In this case, “tomato’s” is used to indicate something that belongs to a tomato.

For example:

• The tomato’s skin was bright red and smooth.
  

In this sentence, “tomato’s” refers to the skin of a single tomato, meaning the skin belongs to the tomato. The apostrophe + s (tomato’s) shows possession.

This is an important distinction because many people mistakenly use “tomato’s” when they mean “tomatoes”—a plural form. 

However, the two are not interchangeable, and mixing them up can cause confusion in your writing.

Common Mistake: Confusing Plural and Possessive

The confusion between the possessive and plural form is one of the most common grammar mistakes in English. 

When you want to talk about more than one tomato, always use “tomatoes” (with no apostrophe). If you want to show possession, use “tomato’s” with an apostrophe.

Here’s a side-by-side example to show the difference:

• Incorrect (plural mistake): I bought two tomato’s at the store.
  
• Correct (plural form): I bought two tomatoes at the store.
  
• Correct (possessive form): The tomato’s color was amazing.
  

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The History of the Word “Tomato”

Etymology of “Tomato”

Understanding the history of the word “tomato” can give you some insight into how we arrived at its plural form. The word “tomato” comes from the Spanish word “tomate,” which in turn originated from the Nahuatl word “tomatl” (the indigenous language of the Aztecs). 

When the Spanish brought tomatoes back from the Americas to Europe in the 16th century, the word “tomato” was adopted in various languages, including English.

Interestingly, the word “tomato” was first used to describe the fruit as a “love apple” or “wolf peach” in Europe due to its association with aphrodisiac properties and the confusion surrounding its supposed poisonous qualities.

Why English Adds “es” for Plurals

Now, let’s turn our focus to the plural form of the word. English has a rule where nouns that end in “o” often take “es” to form the plural. This is why tomato becomes tomatoes and not tomatos.

This rule applies to many other words that end with an “o”, such as potato (potatoes), hero (heroes), and echo (echoes). It’s a pattern that helps maintain consistency in the English language.

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Other Nouns Ending in “O” and Their Plural Forms

Common Plural Forms with “es”

Here’s a short list of other nouns that follow the same rule as “tomato”—ending in “o” and forming the plural by adding “es.”

• Potato → Potatoes
  
• Hero → Heroes
  
• Echo → Echoes
  
• Buffalo → Buffaloes
  
• Volcano → Volcanoes
  

Example sentences:

• The heroes of the story saved the town.
  
• The potatoes were ready to be mashed for dinner.
  
• The buffaloes grazed peacefully in the field.
  

This rule provides a helpful guide to forming plurals for many similar nouns in English.

Irregular Nouns Ending in “O”

While most nouns ending in “o” follow the “es” rule, there are a few exceptions. Some words form their plurals without adding “es”.

• Piano → Pianos
  
• Photo → Photos
  
• Solo → Solos
  

These irregular plural forms don’t follow the standard pattern, so it’s important to remember them when writing.

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Regional Variations in the Use of “Tomatoes”

British English vs. American English

You might be wondering if “tomatoes” is used differently in British English and American English. The truth is, the plural form “tomatoes” is used in both regions, but there can be slight differences in pronunciation and frequency of use.

For example, in some British dialects, you might hear “tomato” pronounced with a slightly different emphasis, but both forms of English recognize “tomatoes” as the correct plural.

Colloquial vs. Formal Language

While “tomatoes” is used in both formal and informal contexts, there are times when English speakers might be more casual and use colloquial expressions. For instance, you might hear someone say “tomato’s” in a casual conversation (incorrectly) without realizing it’s a possessive form.

In formal writing—whether it’s academic, business, or professional writing—the correct plural form is always “tomatoes.”

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How to Avoid Common Pluralization Mistakes

Tips for Remembering the Correct Plural Form

One easy way to remember the correct plural form of tomato is to think of the rule for nouns ending in “o”. If you encounter a word like tomato, potato, or hero, you can quickly add “es” to form the plural.

Another tip is to always check for the apostrophe. If you see “tomato’s”, pause and ask yourself if you’re indicating possession (like “the tomato’s taste”) or if you’re referring to more than one tomato. If it’s the latter, you should use “tomatoes.”

Proofreading for Plural and Possessive Errors

When proofreading your work, look out for common errors like mixing up the plural and possessive forms. Read your sentences carefully—especially when you’re using words like “tomato”—to ensure you’re using the correct form.

You can also use grammar checkers or proofreading tools to catch these mistakes, though it’s always a good idea to double-check the results.

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Conclusion

To sum it up, the correct plural form of “tomato” is “tomatoes”, not “tomato’s”. “Tomato’s” is the possessive form, used to show ownership or association, not to indicate more than one. Understanding this simple distinction can help improve your writing and avoid embarrassing grammar errors.

By applying the rules for pluralization of nouns ending in “o” and being mindful of possessive forms, you’ll be able to write with confidence and clarity. So, the next time you’re writing about your favorite fruit, remember: it’s tomatoes, not tomato’s.