Math or Maths
Nov 27th 2012 | 10:36 am
#1
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,448
From: Calgary
Math or Maths
So which is "correct".............?
Nov 27th 2012 | 10:45 am
#2
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Math or Maths
Maths. And I should know, I've got a richard in it.
Nov 27th 2012 | 10:47 am
#3
No really, it doesn't
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,817
From: Rural Nova Scotia
Re: Math or Maths
Shamelessly pinched from 'Daily Writing Tips'
I use Maths ....
There are logical arguments for both spellings. The word “mathematics†can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural – hence the s on the end – but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject†and not “mathematics are my best subjectâ€. The shortened form “mathsâ€, then, makes sense because the word is still a plural noun and so should still have the “s†on the end. On the other hand, it could be argued, “math†makes sense because it seems wrong to remove the letters “ematic†from the middle of the word and leave the final “sâ€.
There are a number of other plural nouns that are used as if they were singular – for example economics, ethics, politics, gymnastics, measles and dominoes. These words, however, are not habitually shortened, making math/maths rather an unusual word.
It’s sometimes surprising how much argument and disagreement small differences such as that single letter can make. Readers in the UK, for example, sometimes get very upset if someone writes “math†rather than “mathsâ€. No doubt the reverse is true in the US. In practice, it’s simply worth being aware of the geographical differences so that you can use the correct form of the word in your writing.
I use Maths ....
There are logical arguments for both spellings. The word “mathematics†can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural – hence the s on the end – but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject†and not “mathematics are my best subjectâ€. The shortened form “mathsâ€, then, makes sense because the word is still a plural noun and so should still have the “s†on the end. On the other hand, it could be argued, “math†makes sense because it seems wrong to remove the letters “ematic†from the middle of the word and leave the final “sâ€.
There are a number of other plural nouns that are used as if they were singular – for example economics, ethics, politics, gymnastics, measles and dominoes. These words, however, are not habitually shortened, making math/maths rather an unusual word.
It’s sometimes surprising how much argument and disagreement small differences such as that single letter can make. Readers in the UK, for example, sometimes get very upset if someone writes “math†rather than “mathsâ€. No doubt the reverse is true in the US. In practice, it’s simply worth being aware of the geographical differences so that you can use the correct form of the word in your writing.
Nov 27th 2012 | 10:55 am
#4
Pictou County Superstarâ„¢
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,219
From: On top of the Green hill, NS
Nov 27th 2012 | 10:57 am
#5
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 30,259
From: Europe (to be specified).
Re: Math or Maths
Shamelessly pinched from 'Daily Writing Tips'
I use Maths ....
There are logical arguments for both spellings. The word “mathematics†can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural – hence the s on the end – but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject†and not “mathematics are my best subjectâ€. The shortened form “mathsâ€, then, makes sense because the word is still a plural noun and so should still have the “s†on the end. On the other hand, it could be argued, “math†makes sense because it seems wrong to remove the letters “ematic†from the middle of the word and leave the final “sâ€.
There are a number of other plural nouns that are used as if they were singular – for example economics, ethics, politics, gymnastics, measles and dominoes. These words, however, are not habitually shortened, making math/maths rather an unusual word.
It’s sometimes surprising how much argument and disagreement small differences such as that single letter can make. Readers in the UK, for example, sometimes get very upset if someone writes “math†rather than “mathsâ€. No doubt the reverse is true in the US. In practice, it’s simply worth being aware of the geographical differences so that you can use the correct form of the word in your writing.
I use Maths ....
There are logical arguments for both spellings. The word “mathematics†can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural – hence the s on the end – but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject†and not “mathematics are my best subjectâ€. The shortened form “mathsâ€, then, makes sense because the word is still a plural noun and so should still have the “s†on the end. On the other hand, it could be argued, “math†makes sense because it seems wrong to remove the letters “ematic†from the middle of the word and leave the final “sâ€.
There are a number of other plural nouns that are used as if they were singular – for example economics, ethics, politics, gymnastics, measles and dominoes. These words, however, are not habitually shortened, making math/maths rather an unusual word.
It’s sometimes surprising how much argument and disagreement small differences such as that single letter can make. Readers in the UK, for example, sometimes get very upset if someone writes “math†rather than “mathsâ€. No doubt the reverse is true in the US. In practice, it’s simply worth being aware of the geographical differences so that you can use the correct form of the word in your writing.
And I worked that out with a pencil.
Nov 27th 2012 | 10:58 am
#6
Professional Cat herder
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,709
From: TORONTO- yay!!!
Re: Math or Maths
After nearly 4 years of working in a school , I will admit that I have moved over to the dark side and now say "math"
Nov 27th 2012 | 11:04 am
#7
Pictou County Superstarâ„¢
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,219
From: On top of the Green hill, NS
Re: Math or Maths
If I appear busy, I'm doing math. If I am busy, I'm doing mathematics.
Nov 27th 2012 | 11:15 am
#8
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,188
Re: Math or Maths
I always just said 'doing sums'.
Nov 27th 2012 | 11:30 am
#9
Banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,824
From: the GTA
Re: Math or Maths
WTF cares?
Nov 27th 2012 | 11:33 am
#11
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 10,000
Re: Math or Maths
Shamelessly pinched from 'Daily Writing Tips'
I use Maths ....
There are logical arguments for both spellings. The word “mathematics†can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural – hence the s on the end – but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject†and not “mathematics are my best subjectâ€. The shortened form “mathsâ€, then, makes sense because the word is still a plural noun and so should still have the “s†on the end. On the other hand, it could be argued, “math†makes sense because it seems wrong to remove the letters “ematic†from the middle of the word and leave the final “sâ€.
There are a number of other plural nouns that are used as if they were singular – for example economics, ethics, politics, gymnastics, measles and dominoes. These words, however, are not habitually shortened, making math/maths rather an unusual word.
It’s sometimes surprising how much argument and disagreement small differences such as that single letter can make. Readers in the UK, for example, sometimes get very upset if someone writes “math†rather than “mathsâ€. No doubt the reverse is true in the US. In practice, it’s simply worth being aware of the geographical differences so that you can use the correct form of the word in your writing.
I use Maths ....
There are logical arguments for both spellings. The word “mathematics†can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural – hence the s on the end – but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject†and not “mathematics are my best subjectâ€. The shortened form “mathsâ€, then, makes sense because the word is still a plural noun and so should still have the “s†on the end. On the other hand, it could be argued, “math†makes sense because it seems wrong to remove the letters “ematic†from the middle of the word and leave the final “sâ€.
There are a number of other plural nouns that are used as if they were singular – for example economics, ethics, politics, gymnastics, measles and dominoes. These words, however, are not habitually shortened, making math/maths rather an unusual word.
It’s sometimes surprising how much argument and disagreement small differences such as that single letter can make. Readers in the UK, for example, sometimes get very upset if someone writes “math†rather than “mathsâ€. No doubt the reverse is true in the US. In practice, it’s simply worth being aware of the geographical differences so that you can use the correct form of the word in your writing.
Nov 27th 2012 | 11:36 am
#12
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,188
Re: Math or Maths
It's like when they don't use a definite article when referring to sports competitions. For example, "Canada didn't make World Cup again."
Nov 27th 2012 | 11:58 am
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,866
From: Cochrane, Alberta
Nov 27th 2012 | 12:18 pm
#15
Professional Cat herder
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,709
From: TORONTO- yay!!!
