Top Pages
Home
A-Z Glossary
Punctuation
A-Z Confused Words
Common Mistakes
(ordered by seriousness) Top Tip
Get a grammar checker
for your browser ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists Tests and Games Awkward Plurals Sayings and Proverbs Twitter YouTube
(ordered by seriousness) Top Tip
Get a grammar checker
for your browser ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists Tests and Games Awkward Plurals Sayings and Proverbs Twitter YouTube
Plural of Money
The Quick Answer
Typically, money is a mass noun. It has no plural form.In law and accounting, money can be a countable noun. Its plural is moneys or monies. (The latter spelling is more common.)
The Plural of Money
When used outside the context of law and accounting, money is a mass noun. It has no plural form.- All the money in the world can't buy you back good health.
- If you can actually count your money, then you're not a rich man.
Both monies and moneys are acceptable spellings.
- Voters are tired of using public monies to enrich millionaire sports owners.
- You are investing impressive sums of moneys for reaching your financial goals.
Are You Good at Plurals?
Here's a quick test.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 | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z | ![]() ![]() |
add es | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [consonant] o | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
add either s or es (There are no rules for this - you have to know.) |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [vowel] o | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [consonant] y | ![]() ![]() |
change the y to an i and add es | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [vowel] y | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Mass nouns | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns do not have a plural form |
![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending f or fe | ![]() ![]() |
ves and/or s (There are no rules - you have to know.) |
![]() ![]() |
Exceptions | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change | ![]() ![]() |
More exceptions | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns have their own rules | ![]() ![]() |
Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Money?
Confusion arises because money is typically a mass noun. A mass noun is a noun without a plural form. They refer to items that can't be counted (e.g., rice, milk, chalk).Occasionally, money can be countable. This is usually the case in a law or accounting context. The plural is moneys or monies.
Monies is more common than moneys. This is unusual because most nouns that end in –ey take a standard -s plural (e.g., monkeys, chimneys, turkeys). Moneys naturally follows that pattern.
Some critics suggest that monies encourages a pronunciation akin to the plural nouns ponies or cronies. Despite this, monies remains the more common spelling.
Ready for the Test?
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
Next lesson >