What Are the Plurals of ‘Ox’ and ‘Fox’? Why ‘Oxen’ and ‘Foxes’?

The English language, with its rich history, has some fascinating quirks. One such quirk lies in the plural forms of words. Sometimes, a simple ‘s’ or ‘es’ doesn’t cut it. For instance, ever wondered why we say ‘oxen’ instead of ‘oxes’? Or why it’s ‘foxes’ and not ‘foxen’? 

In this article, we will delve into the singular and plural forms of ‘ox’ and ‘fox’, exploring the old-fashioned plurals and modern English rules that govern these transformations.

Singular Forms: Ox and Fox

An ‘ox‘ refers to a member of the bovine family, usually a big, strong beast of burden. On the other hand, a ‘fox‘ is a small, cunning creature from the canine family. 

Both these words have Old English roots – ‘ox‘ from ‘oxa’ and ‘fox’ from ‘fox’. These animal world names have remained fairly consistent in their singular forms over centuries.

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Plural Forms: Oxen and Foxes

The plural form of ‘ox’ is ‘oxen‘, and for ‘fox’, it’s ‘foxes‘. These aren’t your typical English plurals. 

Oxen

The plural form ‘oxen’ is a carryover from the Old English rules. In Old English, certain words took an ‘en’ ending to indicate their plural form. 

While most of these words have faded into obscurity or have modernized their plurals, ‘oxen’ has staunchly held on to this unique pluralization.

Foxes

‘Foxes’, on the other hand, follows a more common rule of pluralization in English. Words ending in ‘s’, ‘x’, ‘z’, ‘ch’, and ‘sh’ form their plurals by adding ‘es’. 

Thus, we have ‘foxes’, just as we have ‘dishes’ or ‘buzzes’. This English plural rule is more prevalent in Modern English.

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Comparing Plurals

Singular Form	Old English Root	Plural Form	Plural Formation Rule
Ox	Oxa	Oxen	Old English ‘en’ ending
Fox	Fox	Foxes	Modern English ‘es’ ending

Why ‘Foxes’ for ‘Fox’ and ‘Oxen’ for ‘Ox’?

The reasons behind these plural forms lie in the history of the English language. The ‘en’ in ‘oxen’ comes from Old English, where certain words used ‘en’ for plurals. Most of these words have disappeared or changed, but ‘oxen’ remains. 

The ‘es’ in ‘foxes’ represents a more common modern English rule for forming plurals. These linguistic rules and their exceptions make English a fascinating language to learn and explore.

FAQ” S

Why is the plural of ‘ox’ ‘oxen’ and not ‘oxes’? 

The plural ‘oxen’ is a remnant of Old English rules where some words took an ‘en’ ending for their plural form.

Why do we say ‘foxes’ and not ‘foxen’?

 ‘Foxes’ follows a common rule in English where words ending in ‘s’, ‘x’, ‘z’, ‘ch’, or ‘sh’ form their plurals by adding ‘es’.

Are there other words in English that form plurals like ‘oxen’? 

Yes, though rare, there are other words like ‘children’ and ‘brethren’ that form their plurals with an ‘en’ ending.

Why are English plurals sometimes formed with ‘s’ or ‘es’, and other times with ‘en’? 

This variation can be attributed to the history of the English language, with some plural forms carrying forward from Old English and others conforming to modern English rules.

Are ‘oxen’ and ‘foxes’ exceptions to English plural rules? 

‘Oxen’ is indeed an exception to the typical English plural rules. However, ‘foxes’ conforms to a common rule where words ending in ‘s’, ‘x’, ‘z’, ‘ch’, or ‘sh’ add ‘es’ to form their plurals.

Conclusion

From ‘oxen’ to ‘foxes’, English plurals carry the weight of linguistic history. These unique English grammar rules remind us of the language’s rich past and its constant evolution. So, the next time you spot a group of oxen or a skulk of foxes, remember the quirky plurals that set them apart.