Common Mistakes with the Plural of Specimen
If you are writing a lab report, a medical email, or a research note, the plural of specimen is specimens. This is the standard, correct form in both formal and informal English. Many learners mistakenly use specimina (a rare Latin plural that is almost never used today) or specimen for both singular and plural. This guide will help you avoid those errors and use the word confidently in any context.
Quick Answer: What Is the Plural of Specimen?
The plural of specimen is specimens. It follows the regular English rule of adding -s to the end of the word. While specimen comes from Latin, the Latin plural specimina is now considered archaic and is rarely used in modern medical or scientific writing.
- Singular: specimen
- Plural: specimens
Why Is This Confusing?
Many medical and scientific terms come from Latin or Greek, and they sometimes keep their original plural forms (e.g., criterion → criteria, datum → data). Because specimen ends in -en, which is a Latin suffix, some learners assume it follows the same pattern. However, specimen has been fully anglicized, meaning it now uses the regular English plural.
You may occasionally see specimina in very old textbooks or historical texts, but in modern medical writing, emails, or conversation, specimens is the only correct choice.
Formal vs. Informal Use
The word specimen and its plural specimens are used in both formal and informal contexts, but the tone and setting can change slightly.
- Formal (lab reports, research papers, official emails): Use specimens without hesitation. It is the standard term in pathology, biology, and clinical settings. Example: “All specimens were stored at -20°C.”
- Informal (conversation, quick notes, internal messages): Specimens is still perfectly fine. You might hear a doctor say, “We need more specimens from the patient.” It is not overly formal.
- Email context: In professional emails, specimens is appropriate. For example: “Please send the specimens to the lab by Friday.”
Comparison Table: Specimen vs. Other Medical Plurals
| Singular | Plural (Correct) | Common Mistake | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| specimen | specimens | specimina | Fully anglicized; use regular -s. |
| criterion | criteria | criterions | Keeps Greek plural. |
| datum | data | datums | Latin plural is standard. |
| medium | media | mediums | Latin plural is standard. |
| focus | foci (or focuses) | focis | Both forms are accepted. |
As you can see, specimen is the odd one out because it does not keep its Latin plural. Always use specimens.
Natural Examples
Here are examples of how specimens is used in real writing and speech.
In a Lab Report (Formal)
“The specimens were collected from three different sites. Each specimen was labeled and stored separately.”
In an Email to a Colleague (Professional)
“Could you check if the specimens from yesterday are ready? I need to update the log.”
In a Conversation (Informal)
“The nurse said we have to send more specimens to the lab. I think we already sent enough.”
In a Research Paper (Formal)
“A total of 150 specimens were analyzed. No specimen showed signs of contamination.”
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using “specimina”
This is the most common error. Learners who know Latin plurals sometimes write specimina. While it is technically a historical plural, it is not used in modern English. Stick with specimens.
Incorrect: “The specimina were collected yesterday.”
Correct: “The specimens were collected yesterday.”
Mistake 2: Using “specimen” for both singular and plural
Some learners treat specimen like sheep or deer, which do not change in the plural. This is incorrect.
Incorrect: “We have three specimen to test.”
Correct: “We have three specimens to test.”
Mistake 3: Adding an apostrophe
Do not write specimen’s as a plural. The apostrophe is only used for possession (e.g., “the specimen’s label”).
Incorrect: “The specimen’s are in the fridge.”
Correct: “The specimens are in the fridge.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
In some contexts, you might want to use a different word to avoid repetition or to be more specific. Here are a few alternatives to specimens and when they work best.
- Samples: Very common in lab and clinical settings. Slightly less formal than specimens but widely accepted. Example: “We need blood samples from all patients.”
- Biopsies: Specific to tissue samples taken from a living body. Example: “The biopsies were sent for analysis.”
- Slides: Used when referring to prepared microscope slides. Example: “The slides show clear cell changes.”
- Isolates: Used in microbiology for pure cultures. Example: “The bacterial isolates were tested for resistance.”
When in doubt, specimens is always correct and professional.
Nuance: When to Use “Specimen” vs. “Sample”
In medical writing, specimen and sample are often used interchangeably, but there is a small difference in nuance.
- Specimen often implies a single, identifiable item taken for testing (e.g., a tissue specimen, a urine specimen). It sounds more clinical and precise.
- Sample is a broader term that can refer to a portion of a larger whole (e.g., a blood sample, a water sample). It is slightly less formal.
In most cases, you can use either, but if you want to sound more technical, choose specimen.
Mini Practice: Test Yourself
Choose the correct form for each sentence. Answers are below.
- The lab received ten (specimen / specimens) this morning.
- Each (specimen / specimens) must be labeled with the patient ID.
- We need to collect more (specimen / specimens) for the study.
- The (specimen / specimens) from the biopsy showed no abnormalities.
Answers
- specimens (plural, referring to ten items)
- specimen (singular, referring to each individual item)
- specimens (plural, referring to multiple items)
- specimens (plural, referring to the items from the biopsy)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “specimina” ever correct?
Only in very old or historical texts. In modern medical and scientific English, specimens is the only correct plural. Avoid specimina in all current writing.
2. Can I use “specimen” as a plural in informal conversation?
No. Even in casual conversation, native speakers use specimens. For example: “How many specimens did you collect?” sounds natural. “How many specimen did you collect?” sounds incorrect.
3. What about “specimen’s” with an apostrophe?
That is the possessive form, not the plural. For example: “The specimen’s container was broken.” If you mean more than one specimen, write specimens without an apostrophe.
4. Is “specimens” used in other fields besides medicine?
Yes. Specimens is also common in biology, geology, and even art (e.g., a museum specimen). The plural rule is the same everywhere: specimens.
Final Tip
If you are ever unsure, remember that specimen follows the same pattern as most English nouns: add -s to make it plural. Unlike criterion or datum, it does not keep its Latin form. Write specimens every time, and you will be correct.
For more help with tricky medical plurals, visit our Confusing Plurals section. You can also check our Plural Spelling Rules for general guidance, or see our FAQ for common questions.
