Advertising - LEO without ads? LEO Pur
LEO

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker.

Would you like to support LEO?

Disable your ad blocker for LEO or make a donation.

 
  •  
  • Topic

    formula - plural?

    Comment
    which plural form is used in english for the word "formula":

    formulae as in Latin, or
    formulas as in usual English plurals?

    the second one is somewhat ugly, but I'm unsure right now :(
    Authorlb12 Sep 05, 12:49
    Comment
    Formulas:

    Molecular formulas use the exact number of atoms of each element present in the smallest unit of the substance.
    http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/chemicalformula.html
    #1AuthorAMS12 Sep 05, 12:56
    Comment
    Main Entry: 1for·mu·la
    Pronunciation: 'for-my&-l&
    Function: noun
    Inflected Form(s): plural -las or for·mu·lae

    http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Di...
    #2AuthorRE112 Sep 05, 13:12
    Comment
    Across the web "chemical formulas" is more popular than "chemical formulae" and "mathematical formulas" is more popular than "mathematical formulae".
    But in British websites formulae is considerably more popular. So I would use formulae in BE and formulas in AE.
    #3AuthorPaul <uk>12 Sep 05, 14:14
    Comment
    I understand that "formulae" is correct and "formulas" is vastly used - wouldn't even be the first time it happens.
    Up to you the choice if bowing to a settled bad habit or playing the role of a cantankerous "laudator temporis acti". Take it easy, there's worse to the world :-)
    #4Authorcoldby12 Sep 05, 14:50
    Comment
    "Formulas" is more common, of course, but I've been saying "formulae" ever since I started playing Diablo II.
    #5AuthorSolitudinarian12 Sep 05, 15:19
    Comment
    My previous comment was only referring to mathematical and chemical formulae. In every other circumstance I can think of I would use formulas.
    eg racing formulas (like Formula 1), formulas for success in management, infant formulas
    #6AuthorPaul <uk>12 Sep 05, 16:10
    Comment
    Thanks everybody.

    I think I will stick with formulae, as I'm trying to use BE consistently, and I'm indeed using the word in a mathematical context. If its less common, but more correct, that's fine with me :)
    #7Authorlb12 Sep 05, 16:29
     
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  
 
 
 
 
 ­ automatisch zu ­ ­ umgewandelt