The plural of 'sock' is primarily socks.
When referring to the garment worn on the foot, the standard and most common plural form is "socks." This follows the typical English rule of adding an 's' to a singular noun to make it plural.
Understanding the Plural Forms of 'Sock'
While "socks" is overwhelmingly common, there is an alternative plural form, "sox," which is used in very specific contexts.
The Standard Plural: Socks
- Usage: This is the universally accepted plural form for the item of clothing. Whether you're talking about a single pair or many, "socks" is the correct term. It's suitable for all forms of writing and conversation, from casual chats to formal academic papers.
- Example: You are probably wearing a pair of socks right now, or perhaps you have a drawer full of mismatched socks.
- Formation: It adheres to the regular pluralization rule in English, simply adding an 's' to the singular noun.
The Alternative Plural: Sox (Rare and Specific)
- Rarity: The plural form "sox" is rarely encountered in general English writing or speech. It deviates from standard pluralization rules and is considered archaic or non-standard for the garment itself.
- Exceptions: The most notable and almost exclusive use of "sox" occurs in the names of professional sports teams. The two most prominent examples are:
- The Boston Red Sox
- The Chicago White Sox
- Historical Context: In these instances, "sox" is part of the proper noun, deeply embedded in the team's identity and history. It's a stylistic choice that originated at a time when 'x' was sometimes used as an informal abbreviation for 'cks' or 'cs' sounds, especially in branding.
- Formal Writing: Outside of these proper nouns, "sox" should not be used in formal writing to refer to multiple foot coverings. For example, writing "I bought three pair of sox" would be incorrect in most contexts.
Comparing Singular and Plural Forms
| Singular Noun | Common Plural | Rare/Specific Plural | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sock | Socks | Sox (as in team names) | "I need a new pair of socks." "The Boston Red Sox won the World Series." |
Key Takeaways for Usage
- Everyday Language: Always use "socks" when referring to the garments.
- "Where are my clean socks?"
- "She has a collection of colorful socks."
- Proper Nouns: Use "Sox" only when it's part of a specific proper noun, such as a sports team's name.
- "Have you ever been to a Chicago White Sox game?"
- Formal Writing: Stick to "socks" for clarity and adherence to standard English grammar rules.
Understanding the context is crucial when dealing with words that have both regular and irregular or archaic plural forms. For "sock," the distinction is clear: "socks" for the clothing, and "Sox" exclusively for particular team names.
