What’s the Plural of Tomato? A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how to form plurals is fundamental to mastering English grammar. While most nouns simply add an “-s” to become plural, some words, particularly those ending in “-o,” follow a different rule.

This article delves into the specifics of forming the plural of “tomato,” explaining the rules, exceptions, and common pitfalls. This guide is perfect for English language learners, students, and anyone looking to refine their grammatical accuracy.

By the end of this article, you will not only know the correct plural form of “tomato” but also understand the broader principles governing the pluralization of nouns ending in “-o.” You’ll be equipped with the knowledge and practice to confidently handle similar words and avoid common mistakes.

Table of Contents

• Definition of Tomato and Pluralization
• Structural Breakdown: Nouns Ending in -o
• Categories of Nouns Ending in -o
• Examples of Tomato Pluralization
• Usage Rules for Pluralizing Nouns Ending in -o
• Common Mistakes in Pluralizing Tomato
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics: Exceptions and Loanwords
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of Tomato and Pluralization

A tomato is a typically red, edible fruit of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking. It is a staple ingredient in many cuisines worldwide, known for its versatility and nutritional value. Understanding the pluralization of “tomato” requires grasping the basic principles of noun pluralization in English.

Pluralization is the process of forming the plural form of a noun, indicating that there is more than one of something. In English, the most common way to form a plural is by adding “-s” to the end of the singular noun (e.g., “cat” becomes “cats”). However, there are several exceptions to this rule, particularly for nouns ending in “-o,” “-s,” “-x,” “-ch,” or “-sh.”

The plural of “tomato” is tomatoes. This follows a specific rule for many nouns ending in “-o” that are preceded by a consonant: add “-es” to form the plural.

Structural Breakdown: Nouns Ending in -o

The pluralization of nouns ending in “-o” is not always straightforward. The general rule is that some nouns take “-es,” while others simply add “-s.” The determining factor often depends on the letter that precedes the “-o.”

Rule 1: Nouns Ending in -o Preceded by a Consonant: Many nouns ending in “-o” that are preceded by a consonant form their plural by adding “-es.” This is the rule that applies to “tomato.” Examples include:

• potato – potatoes
• hero – heroes
• echo – echoes

Rule 2: Nouns Ending in -o Preceded by a Vowel: Nouns ending in “-o” that are preceded by a vowel typically form their plural by adding only “-s.” Examples include:

• radio – radios
• video – videos
• zoo – zoos

Exceptions: There are exceptions to both rules. Some nouns ending in “-o” preceded by a consonant take only “-s,” while others ending in “-o” preceded by a vowel take “-es.” These exceptions often have historical or etymological reasons.

Categories of Nouns Ending in -o

To better understand the pluralization of nouns ending in “-o,” it’s helpful to categorize them based on their behavior.

Category 1: Nouns Typically Taking “-es”

These nouns usually follow the rule of adding “-es” when preceded by a consonant.

• Cargo – Cargoes
• Embargo – Embargoes
• Motto – Mottoes (or Mottos)

Category 2: Nouns Typically Taking “-s”

These nouns typically add only “-s,” especially when preceded by a vowel.

• Studio – Studios
• Portfolio – Portfolios
• Cuckoo – Cuckoos

Category 3: Nouns with Variable Pluralization

Some nouns can take either “-s” or “-es,” often with slight differences in formality or regional preference.

• Volcano – Volcanoes or Volcanos
• Mosquito – Mosquitoes or Mosquitos
• Tornado – Tornadoes or Tornados

Examples of Tomato Pluralization

Let’s look at some specific examples to illustrate the use of “tomato” and “tomatoes” in sentences.

Table 1: Singular vs. Plural Examples

The following table shows “tomato” in singular form and “tomatoes” in plural form in different sentence contexts. These examples will help you understand how to use these words correctly in your writing and speech.

Singular (Tomato)	Plural (Tomatoes)
I bought a tomato at the market.	I bought several tomatoes at the market.
This tomato is very ripe.	These tomatoes are very ripe.
Do you want a slice of tomato?	Do you want some sliced tomatoes?
The recipe calls for one tomato.	The recipe calls for three tomatoes.
A green tomato is not as sweet.	Green tomatoes are often used for pickling.
She added a tomato to the salad.	She added tomatoes to the salad.
He grew a large tomato in his garden.	He grew many tomatoes in his garden.
The sauce is made with fresh tomato.	The sauce is made with fresh tomatoes.
I prefer a tomato sandwich.	I prefer sandwiches with tomatoes.
The tomato plant needs water.	The tomatoes plants need water.
The tomato is a fruit.	The tomatoes are fruits.
One tomato is enough for me.	Ten tomatoes are not enough for the restaurant.
This tomato is organic.	These tomatoes are organic.
I ate a whole tomato.	I ate a bowl of tomatoes.
That tomato looks delicious.	Those tomatoes look delicious.
I need to buy a tomato.	I need to buy tomatoes.
The tomato is on sale.	The tomatoes are on sale.
A single tomato is not enough.	A basket of tomatoes is enough.
The tomato is red and juicy.	The tomatoes are red and juicy.
I sliced the tomato thinly.	I sliced the tomatoes thinly.
The tomato was very flavorful.	The tomatoes were very flavorful.
I planted a tomato seed.	I planted many tomatoes seeds.
This is the best tomato I have ever tasted.	These are the best tomatoes I have ever tasted.

Table 2: Examples in Different Contexts

This table provides examples of using “tomato” and “tomatoes” in different contexts, such as cooking, gardening, and general conversation. Understanding these contexts will give you a better grasp of how to use these words in various situations.

Context	Singular (Tomato)	Plural (Tomatoes)
Cooking	Add one tomato, diced, to the sauce.	Add two cups of diced tomatoes to the sauce.
Gardening	The tomato plant is thriving in the sun.	The tomatoes plants are thriving in the sun.
Shopping	I need to buy a ripe tomato for the salad.	I need to buy several ripe tomatoes for the salad.
Nutrition	A tomato is a good source of Vitamin C.	Tomatoes are a good source of Vitamin C.
Conversation	Did you see the size of that tomato?	Did you see the size of those tomatoes?
Farming	The farmer harvested a large tomato.	The farmer harvested many tomatoes.
Market	This tomato is locally grown.	These tomatoes are locally grown.
Eating	I ate a tomato with salt.	I ate tomatoes with salt.
Preparing Food	Peel the tomato before chopping it.	Peel the tomatoes before chopping them.
Describing	The tomato is round and red.	The tomatoes are round and red.
Preserving	I canned a tomato.	I canned tomatoes.
Juicing	I juiced a tomato.	I juiced tomatoes.
Drying	I dried a tomato in the sun.	I dried tomatoes in the sun.
Storing	Store the tomato in the fridge.	Store the tomatoes in the fridge.
Selling	I sold a tomato.	I sold tomatoes.
Buying	I bought a tomato for $1.	I bought tomatoes for $5.
Discussing	Let’s talk about the tomato.	Let’s talk about the tomatoes.
Ordering	I ordered a tomato soup.	I ordered tomatoes for the salad.
Picking	I picked a tomato from the vine.	I picked tomatoes from the vine.

Table 3: Compound Nouns with Tomato

The word “tomato” is also used in compound nouns. This table shows some common compound nouns using “tomato” and their plural forms.

Knowing these will further enhance your vocabulary and grammatical accuracy.

Compound Noun (Singular)	Compound Noun (Plural)	Example Sentence
Tomato sauce	Tomato sauces	This pasta is delicious with tomato sauce. / They sell different kinds of tomato sauces.
Tomato soup	Tomato soups	I love a bowl of tomato soup on a cold day. / They have various tomato soups on the menu.
Tomato juice	Tomato juices	He drinks tomato juice every morning. / The store sells different brands of tomato juices.
Tomato paste	Tomato pastes	Add a spoonful of tomato paste to the stew. / They offer several varieties of tomato pastes.
Tomato plant	Tomato plants	The tomato plant is growing well in the garden. / The tomato plants need to be watered regularly.
Cherry tomato	Cherry tomatoes	I like to snack on a cherry tomato. / I like to snack on cherry tomatoes.
Heirloom tomato	Heirloom tomatoes	This heirloom tomato has a unique flavor. / These heirloom tomatoes have a unique flavor.
Sun-dried tomato	Sun-dried tomatoes	I added a sun-dried tomato to the pasta. / I added sun-dried tomatoes to the pasta.
Green tomato	Green tomatoes	A fried green tomato is a Southern delicacy. / Fried green tomatoes are a Southern delicacy.
Roma tomato	Roma tomatoes	This Roma tomato is perfect for sauce. / These Roma tomatoes are perfect for sauce.

Usage Rules for Pluralizing Nouns Ending in -o

To ensure correct usage, follow these rules when pluralizing nouns ending in “-o”:

• Rule 1: Consonant + -o: Add “-es” (e.g., tomato – tomatoes).
• Rule 2: Vowel + -o: Add “-s” (e.g., radio – radios).
• Rule 3: Exceptions: Memorize exceptions like “photo – photos” and “piano – pianos,” which take only “-s” despite ending in a consonant + “-o.”
• Rule 4: Variable Plurals: Be aware of words with acceptable alternative plurals, such as “volcano – volcanoes/volcanos.” Check a dictionary if unsure.

Important Note: In formal writing, it’s generally safer to use the “-es” ending for nouns ending in a consonant + “-o,” unless you are certain that the “-s” ending is acceptable or preferred.

Common Mistakes in Pluralizing Tomato

One common mistake is forgetting to add the “-es” to “tomato,” resulting in the incorrect form “tomato’s” or “tomatos.” Another mistake is applying the “-es” rule to nouns ending in “-o” that are preceded by a vowel.

Table 4: Correct vs. Incorrect Examples

This table highlights common mistakes and provides the correct pluralizations. Understanding these errors will help you avoid them in your own writing and speaking.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
tomato’s	tomatoes	“Tomato’s” indicates possession, not pluralization.
tomatos	tomatoes	The correct plural form is “tomatoes.”
radioes	radios	“Radio” ends in a vowel + “o,” so it takes only “-s.”
videoes	videos	“Video” ends in a vowel + “o,” so it takes only “-s.”
pianoes	pianos	“Piano” is an exception and takes only “-s.”
photoes	photos	“Photo” is an exception and takes only “-s.”

Practice Exercises

Test your knowledge with these practice exercises. Choose the correct plural form for each noun.

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct plural form for each word.

Question	Option A	Option B	Option C	Answer
1. Potato	Potato’s	Potatos	Potatoes	C
2. Radio	Radioes	Radios	Radio’s	B
3. Tomato	Tomato’s	Tomatos	Tomatoes	C
4. Hero	Hero’s	Heros	Heroes	C
5. Video	Videoes	Videos	Video’s	B
6. Piano	Pianoes	Pianos	Piano’s	B
7. Photo	Photoes	Photos	Photo’s	B
8. Volcano	Volcano’s	Volcanos	Volcanoes	C (Volcanos is also acceptable)
9. Echo	Echo’s	Echos	Echoes	C
10. Mosquito	Mosquito’s	Mosquitos	Mosquitoes	C (Mosquitos is also acceptable)

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct plural form of the noun in parentheses.

1. I bought three _______ (tomato) at the store.
2. She has a collection of vintage _______ (radio).
3. The farmer grew many _______ (potato) this year.
4. The movie featured several _______ (hero).
5. They watched _______ (video) on their phones.
6. The concert featured two _______ (piano).
7. He took several _______ (photo) during the trip.
8. The eruption created new _______ (volcano).
9. The cave was filled with _______ (echo).
10. We were bitten by _______ (mosquito) last night.

Answers:

1. tomatoes
2. radios
3. potatoes
4. heroes
5. videos
6. pianos
7. photos
8. volcanoes (or volcanos)
9. echoes
10. mosquitoes (or mosquitos)

Exercise 3: Correct the Sentence

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

1. I need to buy some tomatos for the salad.
2. She has a collection of antique radioes.
3. The recipe calls for two potato’s.
4. The movie was about many hero’s.
5. They watched several videoes on YouTube.
6. The concert featured two pianoes.
7. He took many photoes during his vacation.
8. The eruption formed new volcano’s.
9. The mountain was filled with echo’s.
10. We were attacked by many mosquito’s.

Corrected Sentences:

1. I need to buy some tomatoes for the salad.
2. She has a collection of antique radios.
3. The recipe calls for two potatoes.
4. The movie was about many heroes.
5. They watched several videos on YouTube.
6. The concert featured two pianos.
7. He took many photos during his vacation.
8. The eruption formed new volcanoes (or volcanos).
9. The mountain was filled with echoes.
10. We were attacked by many mosquitoes (or mosquitos).

Advanced Topics: Exceptions and Loanwords

English grammar is full of exceptions, and the pluralization of nouns ending in “-o” is no different. Some exceptions have historical roots, while others are due to the word’s origin as a loanword from another language.

Loanwords: Many words ending in “-o” that take only “-s” are loanwords from languages like Italian or Spanish. Examples include “concerto” (Italian) and “taco” (Spanish). These words often retain their original pluralization patterns.

Shortened Forms: Some words are shortened forms of longer words and tend to take only “-s.” For example, “photo” is a shortened form of “photograph,” and “kilo” is a shortened form of “kilogram.”

Understanding these nuances can help you navigate the complexities of English pluralization more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the pluralization of “tomato” and other nouns ending in “-o.”

1. Why is the plural of “tomato” “tomatoes” and not “tomatos”?

   The plural of “tomato” is “tomatoes” because it follows the general rule for nouns ending in “-o” preceded by a consonant: add “-es” to form the plural. This rule helps maintain consistency in English pluralization.

2. Are there any other words like “tomato” that follow the same pluralization rule?

   Yes, many words ending in “-o” preceded by a consonant follow the same rule, such as “potato” (potatoes), “hero” (heroes), and “echo” (echoes). These words also add “-es” to form their plural.

3. Why do some words ending in “-o” only add “-s” to form the plural?

   Words ending in “-o” that are preceded by a vowel typically add only “-s” to form the plural. Examples include “radio” (radios), “video” (videos), and “zoo” (zoos). Additionally, some exceptions, like “photo” and “piano,” also take only “-s.”

4. Is it ever acceptable to say “tomatos” instead of “tomatoes”?

   No, “tomatos” is generally considered incorrect. The correct plural form of “tomato” is “tomatoes.” While language evolves, “tomatos” is not currently accepted in standard English.

5. What should I do if I’m unsure about the plural form of a word ending in “-o”?

   When in doubt, consult a dictionary. Dictionaries provide the correct plural forms of words and can also indicate if there are alternative acceptable plurals. Online dictionaries are particularly convenient resources.

6. Are there regional variations in the pluralization of words ending in “-o”?

   While standard English generally follows the rules outlined above, some regional variations may exist. However, it’s generally best to adhere to the standard rules, especially in formal writing, to ensure clarity and correctness.

7. Do loanwords from other languages affect the pluralization of English words ending in “-o”?

   Yes, loanwords from other languages can influence the pluralization of English words ending in “-o.” Many words that take only “-s” are loanwords that retain their original pluralization patterns. For example, “taco” (from Spanish) becomes “tacos.”

8. How can I improve my understanding of English pluralization rules in general?

   To improve your understanding of English pluralization rules, practice regularly, read widely, and pay attention to how native speakers use plurals. Review grammar resources and consult dictionaries when needed. Consistent exposure and practice will help you internalize the rules and exceptions.

Conclusion

Mastering the pluralization of nouns, including those ending in “-o” like “tomato,” is essential for clear and accurate communication in English. While the general rule for “tomato” is to add “-es” to form “tomatoes,” understanding the exceptions and nuances related to nouns ending in “-o” will help you avoid common mistakes.

Remember to consider whether the “-o” is preceded by a vowel or consonant and be aware of common exceptions.

By practicing with examples and exercises, you can reinforce your understanding and confidently apply these rules in your writing and speech. Don’t hesitate to consult dictionaries and grammar resources when in doubt.

With consistent effort, you can improve your grammatical accuracy and enhance your overall communication skills.