Meaning & use
the plural of shrimp
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
The word you use when you are talking about more than one shrimp; both shrimp and shrimps are correct.
Grammar: Use it when you talk about grammar, not when you talk about the animals themselves.
Patterns
- the plural of shrimp is shrimp
- the plural of shrimp is shrimps
Many learners ask their teacher what the plural of shrimp is.
In most dictionaries, the plural of shrimp is listed as shrimp, with shrimps as a second form.
She wrote a short note in her grammar book about the plural of shrimp.
phrasefixed phrase
A way of saying that you want to know how to talk about two or more of these small sea animals.
Grammar: Often used as the subject of a question with 'what' or 'is'.
Patterns
- what is the plural of shrimp?
- do you know the plural of shrimp?
What is the plural of shrimp? I never know whether to add an -s.
Can you tell me the plural of shrimp before I write my shopping list?
Common combinations
- what is the plural of shrimp
- What is the plural of shrimp in American English?
- the plural of shrimp is shrimp
- For most speakers, the plural of shrimp is shrimp, without an -s.
- the plural of shrimp is shrimps
- British speakers often say the plural of shrimp is shrimps.
- ask about the plural of shrimp
- Students often ask about the plural of shrimp during a lesson on irregular plurals.
Word family
- shrimp noun
- A small sea animal with a long body and many legs; the singular form.
- shrimps noun
- Another accepted plural, often used in British English or for different kinds.
- shrimpy adjective
- Informal word meaning small and not very strong, like a shrimp.
Commonly confused: the plural of shrimp or prawn? the plural of shrimp or plural?
the plural of shrimp vs prawn
A prawn is a similar sea animal, usually larger than a shrimp. In British English people often say prawn for the bigger ones, while in American English shrimp covers most of them.
the plural of shrimp vs plural
Plural is the general grammar word for 'more than one'. 'The plural of shrimp' is only one example of a plural form.
Practice
Which sentence uses the plural of 'shrimp' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Shrimp' stays the same in the plural, so 'two shrimp' is the most common and safest choice. 'Two shrimps' is also possible, especially in British English, but option 0 fits both varieties. 'Shrimping' is not a noun form, and 'soups' changes the wrong word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the plural of shrimp”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.