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The plural of **potato** is **potatoes**.
Table of Contents
If you have ever found yourself staring at a grocery list wondering whether to add an “s” or an “es” to this common root vegetable, you are not alone. English spelling can be notoriously tricky, especially when it comes to nouns ending in the letter “o”.
The Spelling Rule for “Potatoes”
In English, there is a specific grammatical rule that applies to many nouns ending in a consonant followed by the letter “o”. While many modern English words simply take an “s”, several older or more established words require an “es” to become plural.
Plural: Potato + es = Potatoes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent error is simply adding an “s” (potatos). While this might look correct because of how we pluralize words like “pianos” or “radios,” it is technically incorrect in standard British and American English.
- Potatos – Potatoes
- Potato’s – This indicates possession (e.g., “the potato’s skin”), not plurality.
Other Words Following the Same Rule
The “consonant + o + es” rule applies to several other common English words. If you can remember “potatoes,” you can likely remember these as well:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Tomato | Tomatoes |
| Hero | Heroes |
| Echo | Echoes |
| Veto | Vetoes |
| Torpedo | Torpedoes |
Exceptions to the “-oes” Rule
Not every word ending in “o” follows the “es” rule. This is why “potatoes” can be so confusing. Generally, newer words, musical terms, or words where a vowel precedes the “o” only take an “s”.
- Musical terms: Pianos, solos, cellos.
- Vowel before ‘o’: Radios, videos, zoos.
- Shortened words: Photos (short for photographs), kilos (short for kilograms).
Quick Summary Table
Use this table as a quick reference guide for your writing.
| Word | Potato |
|---|---|
| Plural Form | Potatoes |
| Rule | Consonant + O + ES |
| Example Sentence | “I bought five pounds of potatoes to make mash for dinner.” |
Test Your Knowledge
Which of the following sentences is correct?
- We need to peel the potatos for the stew.
- The farmer harvested hundreds of potatoes this morning.
- I love baked potato’s with sour cream.
Answer: Sentence 2 is correct.
