The English language frequently adopts words from classical languages, leading to significant debate over how to form their plurals correctly. When discussing a direct vote by the electorate on a particular proposal, we often encounter nouns derived from Latin, such as referendum, memorandum, agenda, curriculum, and datum. Understanding how to pluralize these terms is essential for maintaining a professional and academic tone in your writing. This guide explores whether you should use the Latin-style plural or the anglicized version, helping you navigate the complexities of “referendums” versus “referenda” with confidence and precision.
Mastering these distinctions is particularly beneficial for students of political science, law, and linguistics who must communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences. By learning the history and usage patterns of these terms, you can adapt your language to suit different registers, ranging from formal legal documents to casual news reports. This article provides the structural breakdown, historical context, and practical exercises necessary to ensure you never stumble over these tricky Latinate plurals again.
Table of Contents
- Definition and Etymology of Referendum
- Structural Breakdown of Latin Neuter Nouns
- Referendums vs. Referenda: The Great Debate
- Grammatical Classification and Function
- Usage Patterns by Region and Context
- Comprehensive Examples of Latinate Plurals
- Usage Rules and Stylistic Guidelines
- Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Practice Exercises and Assessment
- Advanced Topics: Gerundives and Morphology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Definition and Etymology of Referendum
A referendum is defined as a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision. In modern governance, it serves as a tool of direct democracy, allowing citizens to bypass or confirm the decisions of a legislative body. The term is heavily used in constitutional law and international relations to describe pivotal moments in a nation’s history.
Etymologically, the word finds its roots in the Latin verb referre, which means “to carry back.” Specifically, it is the neuter gerundive form of the verb. In Latin, a gerundive functions as a verbal adjective expressing necessity or obligation. Therefore, referendum literally translates to “something that must be referred back” to the people or a higher authority for approval.
The word entered the English language in the mid-19th century, primarily through the context of Swiss politics. Since its introduction, it has become a staple of political discourse. Because it is a borrowed word, it brings with it the baggage of Latin declension rules, which often conflict with the standard English practice of simply adding “-s” or “-es” to form a plural.
Structural Breakdown of Latin Neuter Nouns
To understand why the plural of referendum is contested, we must look at the structural rules of the Latin second declension. In Latin, nouns ending in -um are typically neuter. According to the rules of that language, the nominative plural of a second-declension neuter noun is formed by replacing the -um suffix with an -a.
This is why we see variations like datum becoming data and bacterium becoming bacteria. However, English is a living language that tends to “naturalize” foreign words over time. This process, known as anglicization, involves applying English morphological rules to foreign roots. The structural tension exists between the etymological root (referenda) and the naturalized English form (referendums).
The following table illustrates the structural transformation of several common Latin-derived nouns found in English, showing both the traditional Latin plural and the modern English plural where applicable.
| Singular Form (-um) | Latin Plural (-a) | English Plural (-ums) | Common Usage Preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referendum | Referenda | Referendums | Both accepted; “Referendums” is more common. |
| Memorandum | Memoranda | Memorandums | “Memoranda” preferred in formal contexts. |
| Addendum | Addenda | Addendums | “Addenda” is standard. |
| Curriculum | Curricula | Curriculums | “Curricula” is standard in academia. |
| Ultimatum | Ultimata | Ultimatums | “Ultimatums” is much more common. |
| Stadium | Stadia | Stadiums | “Stadiums” is standard for sports venues. |
| Medium | Media | Mediums | “Media” for communication; “Mediums” for psychics. |
| Podium | Podia | Podiums | “Podiums” is standard. |
| Forum | Fora | Forums | “Forums” is standard for online/discussion. |
| Spectrum | Spectra | Spectrums | “Spectra” preferred in science. |
Referendums vs. Referenda: The Great Debate
The debate between referendums and referenda is not just about grammar; it is about linguistic philosophy. Prescriptivists, who believe language should follow established rules (often based on Latin), argue for referenda. They point to the word’s origin and insist that the plural must reflect its Latin roots to maintain precision and historical continuity.
On the other hand, descriptivists observe how people actually use the language. They note that English speakers naturally gravitate toward referendums because it follows the standard English pluralization rule. Most modern style guides, including the Oxford English Dictionary and the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, now suggest that referendums is the more common and widely accepted form in general usage.
Interestingly, some pedants argue that referenda is technically incorrect even in Latin logic. Since referendum is a gerundive, some believe it should not be pluralized as a noun in the same way datum is. However, this level of microscopic detail is rarely relevant for everyday writing. The consensus is that both are “correct,” but your choice should depend on your audience and the specific style guide you are following.
Grammatical Classification and Function
Grammatically, referendum is a countable noun. This means it can be quantified and used with both singular and plural verbs. In a sentence, it usually functions as the subject or the direct object. Because it represents an event or a process, it is often accompanied by verbs of action like “held,” “conducted,” “called,” or “defeated.”
When using the plural form, you must ensure subject-verb agreement. If you choose referendums, you treat it as a standard plural. If you choose referenda, you must still use a plural verb. For example, “The referenda were controversial” is correct, while “The referenda was controversial” is a common error of treating the “-a” ending as a singular collective noun (similar to how data is often misused).
The classification of this word also extends to its role in compound nouns and phrases. We often see phrases like “referendum result,” where the singular form acts as an attributive noun (an adjective-like role). In these cases, even if multiple votes are discussed, the first word remains singular: “The referendum results across the three nations were mixed.”
Usage Patterns by Region and Context
Language usage often varies by geography. In the United Kingdom, referendums has become the dominant form, especially following the high-profile Brexit vote. The BBC and most major British newspapers have standardized the use of the “-ums” ending to ensure clarity for a general audience. They argue that referenda can sound overly archaic or elitist.
In the United States, the situation is similar, though referendums are less common at the federal level than at the state level (where they are often called “ballot initiatives”). American English generally prefers the anglicized plural for most Latin loans unless the word is strictly scientific. Thus, referendums is the standard in American journalism and legal writing.
In Australia and Canada, both forms are seen, but there is a slight leaning toward referenda in academic and constitutional law circles. This is likely due to a stronger lingering influence of British legal traditions that value Latin terminology. However, even in these regions, the trend is moving toward the English plural.
Comprehensive Examples of Latinate Plurals
To master the use of “referendum” and its plural forms, it is helpful to see it alongside other nouns that follow similar patterns. The following tables provide a massive repository of examples to help you internalize these rules. We will look at standard usage, academic usage, and the varied ways these words appear in sentences.
The first table focuses on the -um to -a transition in academic and scientific contexts, where the Latin form is often strictly preserved.
| Singular | Latin Plural | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Bacterium | Bacteria | The bacteria were resistant to the antibiotic. |
| Datum | Data | The data suggest a significant trend. |
| Stratum | Strata | Multiple strata of rock were visible in the canyon. |
| Corrigendum | Corrigenda | The author issued a list of corrigenda for the book. |
| Desideratum | Desiderata | Peace and security are the primary desiderata. |
| Erratum | Errata | Please check the errata sheet for corrections. |
| Ovum | Ova | The biologist studied the development of the ova. |
| Phylum | Phyla | The animal kingdom is divided into several phyla. |
| Symposium | Symposia | Several symposia were held during the conference. |
| Dictum | Dicta | The judge’s dicta were influential but not binding. |
| Millennium | Millennia | The civilization survived for several millennia. |
| Candelabrum | Candelabra | The room was lit by silver candelabra. |
| Aquarium | Aquaria | The research facility maintains several large aquaria. |
| Compendium | Compendia | He published several compendia of local history. |
| Maximum | Maxima | The function reaches its local maxima at these points. |
| Minimum | Minima | The temperature reached its yearly minima in January. |
| Herbarium | Herbaria | The university houses one of the largest herbaria. |
| Sanatorium | Sanatoria | The forest was once home to several sanatoria. |
| Speculum | Specula | The clinic ordered new medical specula. |
| Ultimatum | Ultimata | The nation ignored the various ultimata issued. |
The next table focuses on the anglicized plurals (-ums) which are more common in everyday speech and modern journalism. These are the “naturalized” versions of the words.
| Singular | English Plural | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Referendum | Referendums | The country held two referendums in one year. |
| Stadium | Stadiums | The city built three new stadiums for the games. |
| Forum | Forums | Online forums are great for community building. |
| Podium | Podiums | The speakers stood behind wooden podiums. |
| Album | Albums | The band released five albums in the 1990s. |
| Museum | Museums | We visited several museums during our trip. |
| Premium | Premiums | Insurance premiums have increased this year. |
| Quorum | Quorums | The committees failed to reach their quorums. |
| Vacuum | Vacuums | Nature abhors vacuums in the physical world. |
| Gymnasium | Gymnasiums | The school district renovated all its gymnasiums. |
| Auditorium | Auditoriums | The university has four large auditoriums. |
| Curriculum | Curriculums | The teachers are developing new curriculums. |
| Memorandum | Memorandums | He sent several memorandums to the staff. |
| Sanctum | Sanctums | They retreated to their private sanctums. |
| Pendulum | Pendulums | The old clocks had heavy brass pendulums. |
| Solarium | Solariums | The hospital features two bright solariums. |
| Planetarium | Planetariums | Modern planetariums use digital projectors. |
| Crematorium | Crematoriums | The city operates three local crematoriums. |
| Emporium | Emporiums | The street was lined with antique emporiums. |
| Moratorium | Moratoriums | The government placed moratoriums on new debt. |
Usage Rules and Stylistic Guidelines
When deciding which plural form to use, consistency is your most important rule. If you choose referendums in the first paragraph of a report, do not switch to referenda in the third. Mixing the two forms suggests a lack of attention to detail and can confuse the reader. Generally, the choice depends on the style guide or the formality of the piece.
Rule 1: Know Your Audience. If you are writing for a general news outlet, a blog, or a casual audience, use referendums. It is the most recognizable form and avoids sounding pretentious. If you are writing a PhD thesis in Classics or a formal legal opinion in a high court, referenda may be more appropriate to signal your command of traditional terminology.
Rule 2: Follow Your Style Guide. Most professional organizations have a preferred style. The AP Stylebook and The Guardian Style Guide both explicitly prefer referendums. Conversely, some older legal dictionaries still list referenda as the primary plural. Always check the internal style guide of your employer or institution.
Rule 3: Subject-Verb Agreement. Regardless of the form you choose, the plural requires a plural verb. This is a common pitfall. People often see the word referenda and treat it as a singular collective noun. This is incorrect. Both referendums and referenda take the plural verb “are,” “were,” or “have.”
| Plural Noun Form | Correct Verb (Plural) | Incorrect Verb (Singular) |
|---|---|---|
| Referendums | The referendums were successful. | The referendums was successful. |
| Referenda | The referenda are scheduled. | The referenda is scheduled. |
| Data | The data show a trend. | The data shows a trend. (Accepted in casual) |
| Media | The media have reported this. | The media has reported this. (Commonly used as singular) |
| Criteria | The criteria were met. | The criteria was met. |
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most frequent error involving the word referendum is the “hypercorrection.” This occurs when a writer assumes that because a word ends in “-um,” it must have an “-a” plural to be correct. This leads to awkward or even incorrect usage in modern English. For instance, calling the plural of stadium “stadia” in a sports report would likely confuse readers and seem out of place.
Another common mistake is the “double plural.” This happens when people add an “s” to the Latin plural. You might see someone write “referendas” or “datas.” These are strictly incorrect in all forms of English. Once you have transformed the “-um” into an “-a,” the word is already plural. Adding an “s” is a grammatical redundancy that should be avoided at all costs.
Finally, avoid using the singular form when the plural is required. Because referendums are often discussed as a general concept, writers sometimes forget to pluralize the noun when referring to multiple specific events. “The government held three referendum” is incorrect; it must be “The government held three referendums.”
| Incorrect Usage | Correct Usage | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Two referendas were held. | Two referendums/referenda were held. | “Referendas” is a double plural. |
| The referenda is tomorrow. | The referendum is tomorrow. | “Referenda” is plural; use singular for one event. |
| The referendums was costly. | The referendums were costly. | Subject-verb agreement error. |
| Many forum are available. | Many forums/fora are available. | Missing plural suffix. |
| The criteria is simple. | The criterion is simple. | “Criteria” is plural; “criterion” is singular. |
Practice Exercises and Assessment
To solidify your understanding of how to pluralize “referendum” and other Latinate nouns, complete the following exercises. These questions range from identifying the correct form to applying subject-verb agreement in complex sentences. Check your answers against the key provided at the end of the section.
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form
Select the most appropriate word to complete each sentence based on standard modern English usage.
- The national (referendum/referendums) was scheduled for October.
- Historically, (referenda/referendums) have been rare in this country.
- We need to analyze the (datum/data) before making a decision.
- The architect designed three new (stadiums/stadia) for the Olympic Games.
- Please review the (memorandum/memorandums) sent by the director.
Exercise 2: Subject-Verb Agreement
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb “to be” (is/are or was/were).
- The referenda _______ conducted simultaneously across the provinces.
- One referendum _______ enough to change the constitution.
- The criteria for the grant _______ very strict this year.
- The media _______ covering the election results extensively.
- These phenomena _______ difficult to explain with current science.
Exercise 3: Error Identification
Identify the error in each of the following sentences and rewrite them correctly.
- The committee reviewed several corrigendas in the final report.
- Both of the referendums was defeated by a narrow margin.
- The student used multiple curriculums to study for the exam.
- The bacteria is spreading quickly through the water supply.
- He received two ultimatums from his rival companies.
| Exercise # | Question # | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | referendum |
| 1 | 2 | referendums (or referenda) |
| 1 | 3 | data |
| 1 | 4 | stadiums |
| 1 | 5 | memorandum |
| 2 | 1 | were |
| 2 | 2 | was |
| 2 | 3 | were |
| 2 | 4 | are (or is in casual usage) |
| 2 | 5 | are |
| 3 | 1 | …several corrigenda… (remove the ‘s’) |
| 3 | 2 | …referendums were… (correct the verb) |
| 3 | 3 | …multiple curricula… (or curriculums) |
| 3 | 4 | …bacteria are… (correct the verb) |
| 3 | 5 | Correct as written. |
Advanced Topics: Gerundives and Morphology
For those interested in the deeper linguistic mechanics, the word referendum is a fascinating case of morphological evolution. In Latin, referendum is the neuter singular of the gerundive of referre. A gerundive is a passive verbal adjective. In the phrase “ad referendum,” it means “for referring” or “to be referred.”
The transition from a verbal form to a noun is called “substantivization.” When a word becomes a noun, it usually adopts the pluralization patterns of its new class. This is why referendums is so widely accepted; the word has fully transitioned from a Latin grammatical particle to an English noun. Once a word is a noun, it is subject to the rules of the language it now resides in, rather than the rules of its ancestor.
Furthermore, the “referenda” vs “referendums” debate touches on the concept of register. Register refers to the level of formality in language. Using referenda is a marker of a high-formal or academic register. In sociolinguistics, this is known as “prestige signaling.” By using the Latin plural, the speaker or writer signals their education and familiarity with classical roots. However, in modern linguistics, the trend is toward “functionalism,” where the most effective word is the one that communicates the meaning most clearly to the widest audience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is “referenda” actually a word?
Yes, “referenda” is a legitimate word. It is the traditional Latin plural of “referendum.” While it is less common than “referendums” in modern English, it remains correct and is frequently used in formal, legal, and academic contexts.
2. Which one should I use in a college essay?
For a college essay, both are acceptable, but you should check if your professor has a preference. If you are writing for a political science or law class, “referenda” might be slightly more respected. However, “referendums” is never wrong. The most important thing is to be consistent throughout your paper.
3. Why do some people say “referendums” is better?
Linguists and style guides often prefer “referendums” because it follows the rules of English. They argue that since we are speaking English, not Latin, we should use English pluralization. This makes the language more predictable and easier for non-native speakers to learn.
4. Can “referendum” be used as a plural?
No, “referendum” is strictly singular. You cannot say “The three referendum were held.” You must use either “referendums” or “referenda.” Using the singular form for a plural count is a grammatical error.
5. Is “data” singular or plural?
Technically, “data” is the plural of “datum.” In scientific and academic writing, it is treated as a plural (e.g., “The data are clear”). However, in common usage, it is often treated as an uncountable mass noun (e.g., “The data is clear”). Both are now widely accepted, though plural treatment is safer in formal work.
6. What are some other words like referendum?
Many words ending in “-um” follow this pattern, including memorandum (memoranda/memorandums), stadium (stadia/stadiums), and curriculum (curricula/curriculums). Generally, the more common the word is in daily life, the more likely it is to use the “-s” plural.
7. Is “referendums” accepted in the UK?
Yes, “referendums” is the preferred form in the UK. The Oxford English Dictionary and major British news organizations like the BBC and The Guardian use “referendums” as their standard plural form.
8. Does the meaning change between the two plurals?
No, there is absolutely no difference in meaning between “referendums” and “referenda.” The only difference is the stylistic tone and the grammatical tradition being followed.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
In conclusion, determining the plural of referendum requires a balance between historical accuracy and modern linguistic trends. While referenda honors the word’s Latin origins and is still favored in some academic circles, referendums has become the standard choice for journalists, politicians, and the general public. The transition from Latin to English rules is a natural part of language evolution, making referendums a perfectly acceptable and often preferred form.
The most important takeaway is to prioritize consistency and clarity. Choose the form that best fits your audience and stick with it. If you are writing for a formal legal journal, referenda may serve you well. If you are writing for a broad audience or following a modern style guide, referendums is your best bet. By understanding the structural roots and usage rules discussed in this guide, you can communicate with authority and precision in any context.
