What is the plural of "e-mail"?

Cloud · 02-07-2011, 11:38 AM

Sorry if this has been asked before (can't find it), but my boss and I are having a debate about this. A web search on this topic is inconclusive.

He's decided that the email (or e-mail--that's another subject!) is a collective noun, so the plural is email. There's some support for that, but I personally think it's confusing. I think emails is better--what do you think?

DanaC · 02-07-2011, 11:42 AM

emails.

'mail' is a collective noun, but if we wish to specify that collection of 'mail' is made up of individual letters, bills, etc.

jimhelm · 02-07-2011, 11:55 AM

can be both, i guess.

"I'm reading my email" may indicate plural emails, or it may mean just one email.

glatt · 02-07-2011, 11:55 AM

If you specify the number of messages, it's "e-mails." If you are talking about it like it's water flowing through a pipe, it's "e-mail."

"I get a lot of e-mail."
"He sent me three e-mails."

Cite

classicman · 02-07-2011, 11:58 AM

What glatt said ...
How many emails did it take for you to prove him wrong? :p

Cloud · 02-07-2011, 12:07 PM

hmm. a phrase like "review email from soandso" could mean one, or could mean many. unprecise!

Spexxvet · 02-07-2011, 12:10 PM

Imprecise

Cloud · 02-07-2011, 12:15 PM

yes, imprecise. much better!

wolf · 02-07-2011, 12:49 PM

emails
es-mail (you know, like the proper plural of mothers-in-law)
spam

I'm going with the first.

jimhelm · 02-07-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Imprecise

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

yes, imprecise. much better!

that's unpossible!

jimhelm · 02-07-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

If you specify the number of messages, it's "e-mails." If you are talking about it like it's water flowing through a pipe, it's "e-mail."

"I get a lot of e-mail."
"He sent me three e-mails."

Cite

can you cite the post in which you make the statement? it's a cite loop!

glatt · 02-07-2011, 01:12 PM

With a citation, as you can see, it carries a certain authority. When really, I just made it all up.

But it sounds right, doesn't it?

Spexxvet · 02-07-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimhelm

that's unpossible!

dispossible

Pico and ME · 02-07-2011, 03:18 PM

How much email do you get?
How many emails do you get?

Sundae · 02-07-2011, 03:24 PM

Sinpossible:
The wish to copulate with a person out of your league

02-07-2011, 11:38 AM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	What is the plural of "e-mail"? Sorry if this has been asked before (can't find it), but my boss and I are having a debate about this. A web search on this topic is inconclusive. He's decided that the email (or e-mail--that's another subject!) is a collective noun, so the plural is email. There's some support for that, but I personally think it's confusing. I think emails is better--what do you think? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

02-07-2011, 11:55 AM	#3
jimhelm a beautiful fool Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 39.939705 Posts: 4,504	can be both, i guess. "I'm reading my email" may indicate plural emails, or it may mean just one email. __________________ There's a Shadow just behind me. Shrouding every step I take. Making every promise empty, pointing every finger at me. _tool

02-07-2011, 11:58 AM	#5
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	What glatt said ... How many emails did it take for you to prove him wrong? :p __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-07-2011, 12:07 PM	#6
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	hmm. a phrase like "review email from soandso" could mean one, or could mean many. unprecise! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

02-07-2011, 12:10 PM	#7
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	Imprecise __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

02-07-2011, 11:55 AM	#4
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	If you specify the number of messages, it's "e-mails." If you are talking about it like it's water flowing through a pipe, it's "e-mail." "I get a lot of e-mail." "He sent me three e-mails." Cite

02-07-2011, 12:15 PM	#8
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	yes, imprecise. much better! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

02-07-2011, 12:49 PM	#9
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	emails es-mail (you know, like the proper plural of mothers-in-law) spam I'm going with the first. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

02-07-2011, 01:12 PM	#12
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	With a citation, as you can see, it carries a certain authority. When really, I just made it all up. But it sounds right, doesn't it?

02-07-2011, 03:18 PM	#14
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	How much email do you get? How many emails do you get?

02-07-2011, 03:24 PM	#15
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Sinpossible: The wish to copulate with a person out of your league

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