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Plural of Blood

What Is the Plural of Blood?

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The Quick Answer

The plural of "blood" is "blood." "Blood" is a non-countable noun. It has no plural. (The term "bloods" is often used in the medical profession to shorten "blood test samples" or "blood works.")
The plural of "blood" is "blood."
  • A lot of blood, sweat, and tears have gone into this career of mine. (Kevin Hart) correct tick
  • Athletics is in my blood. (Haile Gebrselassie) correct tick
"Bloods" is not the plural of "blood." "Bloods" is only acceptable in a medical context. (It is the shortened version of "blood works.")

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The Standard Rules for Forming the Plurals

The table below shows the standard rules for forming the plurals of nouns in English.
Type Example of Type Forming the Plural Plural
Most Nouns lamp
scythe
add s lamps
scythes
Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z bus
dress
add es buses
dresses
Nouns ending [consonant] o hero
zero
tomato
add either s or es
(There are no rules for this - you have to know.)
heroes
zeros
tomatoes
Nouns ending [vowel] o patio
ratio
add s patios
ratios
Nouns ending [consonant] y story
penny
change the y to an i and add es stories
pennies
Nouns ending [vowel] y storey (small British flag)
donkey
add s storeys
donkeys
Nouns ending f or fe dwarf
hoof
ves and/or s
(There are no rules - you have to know.)
dwarfs
hooves or hoofs
Exceptions man
louse
some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change men
lice
More exceptions blood
sheep
some nouns do not change at all blood
sheep
Read more about English spelling rules.

Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Blood?

Confusion arises because of the term "bloods," which is used among medical professionals. "Bloods" is actually a contraction for the terms "blood works" or "blood samples."

Of note, "The Bloods" (from the slang term blood meaning brother) is the name of a street gang in Los Angeles.
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This page was written by Craig Shrives.

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