What Are the Plurals of ‘Ox’ and ‘Fox’?

Have you ever scratched your head wondering why we say “oxen” instead of “oxes,” but “foxes” instead of “foxen”? You’re not alone who had confusion of ‘Ox’ and ‘Fox’! The English language is full of quirks, and its plural forms are no exception.
In this deep dive, we’ll explore the fascinating world of singular and plural nouns, focusing on two animal-related examples that often leave language learners and native speakers alike puzzled: the ox and the fox. We’ll unravel the mystery behind these peculiar plurals and shed light on the rich tapestry of English grammar rules.

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A Tale of Two Singulars: Meet the Ox and the Fox

Let’s start our journey by introducing our main characters: the ox and the fox. Both are animals that have played significant roles in human history and culture, but their linguistic paths have diverged in interesting ways.

On the other hand, the fox, that clever canine that’s captured our imagination in countless stories and fables, seems to follow a more predictable pattern. One fox, many… well, we’ll get to that.

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Plural Pandemonium: When One Becomes Many

Oxen: The Linguistic Outlier

When we talk about more than one ox, we don’t say “oxes” as you might expect. Instead, we use the plural form “oxen“. This unusual plural has its roots in Old English and is one of the few surviving examples of the -en plural in modern English.

Back in the day, many nouns formed their plurals this way. Words like “eyen” (eyes) and “shooen” (shoes) were common. Over time, most of these -en plurals fell out of use, replaced by the more familiar -s or -es endings. But “oxen” stubbornly held on, perhaps due to its frequent use in agricultural contexts.

Today, you’ll find only a handful of words that follow this pattern:

• Children (not “childs”)
• Brethren (an archaic plural of “brother”)
• Kine (an old plural of “cow”, rarely used today)

Foxes: The Rule-Following Plural

Now, let’s turn our attention to the fox. Unlike its bovine counterpart, the fox follows a more common rule for forming plurals in English. The plural of fox is “foxes“, adhering to the rule that words ending in -x, -s, -z, -ch, or -sh typically add -es to form their plural.

This rule applies to many other words in English:

• Buses (not “buss”)
• Dishes (not “dishs”)
• Boxes (not “boxs”)
• Buzzes (not “buzzs”)

It’s worth noting that this rule isn’t just for animals. It applies across the board in English, making it a bit easier for language learners to remember.

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The Linguistic Showdown: Oxen vs. Foxes

So why do we have this discrepancy? Why didn’t “foxen” catch on, or why didn’t “oxes” become the standard? The answer lies in the complex history of the English language.

English, as we know it today, is a mishmash of influences from various languages, including Old English, Norse, French, and Latin. This diverse heritage has left us with a language that’s rich in exceptions and irregularities.

“Oxen” is a holdover from Old English, a remnant of a system that was once much more common. “Foxes,” on the other hand, represents the newer, more regularized system of plural formation that developed as English evolved.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Animal	Singular	Plural	Rule Followed
Ox	Ox	Oxen	Old English -en plural
Fox	Fox	Foxes	Modern -es for words ending in -x

The Method to the Madness: Decoding English Pluralization

While “oxen” and “foxes” represent two different approaches to pluralization, they’re just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to English plural forms. Let’s break down some of the common rules and exceptions:

1. Add -s: This is the most common rule. Example: dog → dogs
2. Add -es: For words ending in -s, -x, -z, -ch, -sh. Example: beach → beaches
3. Change -y to -ies: For words ending in a consonant + y. Example: city → cities
4. Irregular plurals: These follow no specific rule and must be memorized. Examples:
   • Child → children
   • Mouse → mice
   • Goose → geese
   • Tooth → teeth
5. No change: Some words have the same singular and plural form. Example: deer, sheep, fish (in some contexts)
6. Foreign plurals: Words borrowed from other languages sometimes keep their original plural forms. Examples:
   • Criterion → criteria
   • Phenomenon → phenomena

Beyond the Barnyard: Other Peculiar Plurals in English

While “oxen” and “foxes” are interesting cases, English has no shortage of plural peculiarities. Let’s explore a few more:

Geese, Mice, and Other Nice Surprises

Some animals seem to have a mind of their own when it comes to plurals:

• Goose → geese (but not moose → meese!)
• Mouse → mice (but house → houses)
• Louse → lice

These internal vowel changes, known as “umlaut plurals,” are another remnant of Old English grammar.

When One Plural Isn’t Enough

Some words in English have multiple accepted plural forms:

• Cactus → cacti or cactuses
• Formula → formulae or formulas
• Octopus → octopi, octopuses, or octopodes

In these cases, the choice often depends on the context or the speaker’s preference.

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The Evolution of Language: Will ‘Oxes’ Ever Be a Thing?

Language is constantly evolving, and what seems wrong today might become standard tomorrow. After all, “pease” was once a singular noun (with “peason” as its plural) before it evolved into the singular “pea” with the plural “peas” we know today.

So, could we see “oxes” become an accepted plural in the future? It’s possible, but unlikely in the near term. “Oxen” is so ingrained in the language that a change would take a significant shift in usage patterns.

However, we do see other plural forms changing over time:

• “Octopi” is increasingly being replaced by “octopuses”
• “Data” is often treated as singular, despite originally being a plural

These changes remind us that language is a living thing, shaped by its users.

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Why These Plurals Matter: Language Learning and Cultural Impact

Understanding these plural forms is more than just a grammatical exercise. It’s a window into the rich history and cultural heritage of the English language.

For English language learners, irregular plurals like “oxen” can be a significant challenge. They represent one of the many hurdles that make English a complex language to master. However, they also offer insights into the language’s history and evolution, which can deepen a learner’s appreciation and understanding of English.

In literature and everyday speech, these plural forms contribute to the expressiveness and nuance of English. Imagine how different these phrases would sound with regular plurals:

• “As strong as an ox” vs. “As strong as oxen”
• “Sly as a fox” vs. “Sly as foxes”

The singular and plural forms each carry their own connotations and imagery, enriching our ability to communicate precisely and evocatively.

Wrapping Up: What to use, ‘Ox’ and ‘Fox’?

As we’ve seen, the journey from “ox” to “oxen” and “fox” to “foxes” is more than just a tale of two animals. It’s a story of language evolution, historical influences, and the beautiful complexity of English.

While it might be tempting to see irregular plurals like “oxen” as inconvenient exceptions, they’re really linguistic treasures. They connect us to the history of our language, challenge us to think beyond simple rules, and add richness to our communication.

So the next time you’re talking about a herd of oxen or a skulk of foxes, take a moment to appreciate the fascinating journey these words have taken. After all, it’s these little quirks that make language learning an endless adventure.