5 exercises on plural forms and pronunciation of borrowed tech nouns.
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In databases, what is the common plural of "index" and how is it said?
The plural of index has two forms. The everyday English plural is "indexes" /ˈɪndɛksɪz/ (three syllables). The Latin plural "indices" /ˈɪndɪsiːz/ (IN-dih-seez) is common in mathematical and database contexts. Both are correct. So "create two indexes" or "create two indices." In DBA conversation you will hear both. Note the Latin form changes the stress vowel and ends in /siːz/, not /ksɪz/. Do not invent "indice" as a singular.
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What is the plural of "schema" and how is it pronounced?
The plural of schema is most commonly "schemas" /ˈskiːməz/ in everyday tech speech. The original Greek plural is "schemata" /ˈskiːmətə/ (SKEE-muh-tuh), used in more formal or academic contexts. Both are acceptable. So "validate the schemas" or, formally, "the schemata." The base word is "SKEE-mah" /ˈskiːmə/. Do not use "schemae" (that would be a Latin pattern, but schema is Greek) or "schemi."
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What is the plural of "matrix" and how is it said?
The plural of matrix is most commonly "matrices" /ˈmeɪtrɪsiːz/ (MAY-trih-seez), the Latin-style plural, especially in mathematics and machine learning. The regular English plural "matrixes" /ˈmeɪtrɪksɪz/ is also accepted. So "multiply the matrices" or "two matrixes." The singular is "MAY-trix" /ˈmeɪtrɪks/. The Latin plural ends in /siːz/. Do not say "matrice" as a plural (that is a non-standard singular form).
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What is the plural of "vertex" (used in graphics) and how is it said?
The plural of vertex is most commonly "vertices" /ˈvɜːrtɪsiːz/ (VUR-tih-seez), the Latin-style plural used in graphics, geometry, and graph theory. The regular plural "vertexes" is also accepted but less common technically. So "the mesh has 5000 vertices", "connect the vertices." The singular is "VUR-tex" /ˈvɜːrtɛks/. Like index and matrix, the Latin plural swaps "-ex" for "-ices" said /ɪsiːz/.
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What is the singular of "data" and how does this affect verb agreement?
The Latin singular of data is "datum" /ˈdeɪtəm/ (DAY-tum), though it is rarely used in everyday speech. "Data" itself is technically the plural. In modern tech usage, "data" is commonly treated as a mass noun taking a singular verb ("the data is ready"), though formal/scientific writing may use the plural ("the data are"). Both "DAY-tah" and "DAT-ah" pronunciations of "data" exist (US tends to "DAY-tah"). The key fact: the singular form is "datum," not "dat" or "datae."