Common Mistakes with the Plural of Curriculum
If you are unsure whether to write curriculums or curricula for the plural of curriculum, the direct answer is: both are correct, but they are used in different contexts. Curricula is the traditional Latin plural and is preferred in formal academic writing. Curriculums is the standard English plural and is common in everyday conversation, emails, and less formal documents. The mistake most learners make is using one when the other fits the tone better, or mixing them inconsistently.
Quick Answer: Which Plural Should You Use?
- Curricula – Use for formal, academic, or official writing (e.g., research papers, university documents, policy statements).
- Curriculums – Use for informal writing, emails, conversations, and general business communication.
- Both are grammatically correct. Choose based on your audience and the tone of your message.
Understanding the Two Plurals
The word curriculum comes from Latin, where it belongs to a group of nouns ending in -um that form plurals by changing to -a. Other examples include datum → data, medium → media, and memorandum → memoranda. Over time, English speakers began adding the regular -s ending to these words, creating a second acceptable plural form.
Today, both curricula and curriculums appear in dictionaries. The choice often signals the writer’s awareness of formality and context.
Comparison Table: Curricula vs. Curriculums
| Feature | Curricula | Curriculums |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Latin plural | English regular plural |
| Formality | Formal, academic, official | Informal, conversational, general |
| Common in | University catalogs, research, policy | Emails, meetings, everyday speech |
| Example sentence | The university revised its curricula for all graduate programs. | We are updating our training curriculums for next year. |
| Reader expectation | Expected by academics and formal readers | Expected by general readers and colleagues |
Formal vs. Informal Contexts
When to Use “Curricula”
Use curricula when writing for an academic audience, in official documents, or when you want to sound precise and traditional. It is the standard choice in university handbooks, accreditation reports, and scholarly articles. If you are describing multiple programs of study in a formal setting, curricula is the safer option.
Example in formal writing:
The department evaluated its undergraduate and graduate curricula to meet new accreditation standards.
When to Use “Curriculums”
Use curriculums in emails, internal memos, blog posts, and everyday conversation. It sounds natural and avoids the risk of sounding pretentious. In business settings where you are discussing training plans or course outlines, curriculums is perfectly acceptable and often preferred.
Example in informal writing:
Let me know if you need the updated curriculums for the sales team by Friday.
Natural Examples in Context
Email to a colleague (informal):
“Hi Mark, I’ve attached the new curriculums for the onboarding program. Please review them before our meeting.”
University policy document (formal):
“All curricula must include a minimum of three core courses in the student’s major field of study.”
Conversation between teachers:
“Have you seen the curriculums for next semester? They changed the math requirements.”
“Yes, but the science curricula are still being finalized by the committee.”
Business presentation:
“Our training curriculums are designed to be flexible, so we can adapt them to different teams.”
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Mixing Both Forms in the Same Document
Writers sometimes use curricula in one paragraph and curriculums in another without a clear reason. This confuses readers. Choose one form and stick with it throughout your document based on the overall tone.
Incorrect: The school offers several curricula, and we are updating two curriculums this year.
Correct: The school offers several curricula, and we are updating two curricula this year. (formal)
Correct: The school offers several curriculums, and we are updating two curriculums this year. (informal)
Mistake 2: Using “Curricula” as a Singular Noun
Curricula is plural. Do not use it to refer to a single program.
Incorrect: This curricula is very demanding.
Correct: This curriculum is very demanding.
Mistake 3: Overcorrecting with “Curricula” in Casual Writing
Using curricula in a quick email to a coworker can sound stiff or overly academic. Match your word choice to the situation.
Too formal: Please send me the curricula for the workshop.
Better: Please send me the curriculums for the workshop.
Mistake 4: Forgetting the Singular Form
Some learners mistakenly write curriculums when they mean one program. Remember: curriculum is singular; curriculums or curricula are plural.
Incorrect: I need to review the new curriculums for my class. (if only one class)
Correct: I need to review the new curriculum for my class.
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
If you are unsure about which plural to use, or if you want to avoid the issue entirely, consider these alternatives:
- Course of study – Use for a single program. Example: “The course of study includes four required modules.”
- Programs – Use when referring to multiple educational plans. Example: “We offer three different programs for international students.”
- Syllabi – Use when referring to the content of individual courses, not the overall program. Example: “The syllabi for all history courses are available online.”
- Training plans – Use in business contexts. Example: “The training plans for new hires are being revised.”
These alternatives can help you avoid the curricula/curriculums decision when the exact word is not critical to your meaning.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct plural form for each sentence. Answers are below.
- The committee approved the new (curricula / curriculums) for the science department. (formal context)
- Can you email me the (curricula / curriculums) for the weekend workshop? (informal email)
- Both (curricula / curriculums) include a practical component. (neutral context)
- This (curricula / curriculum) is designed for beginners. (singular)
Answers:
- curricula (formal academic context)
- curriculums (informal email)
- Either is correct, but choose one and be consistent. If the rest of the document is formal, use curricula; if informal, use curriculums.
- curriculum (singular form required)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “curricula” always more correct than “curriculums”?
No. Both are grammatically correct. Curricula is the traditional Latin plural and is preferred in formal academic writing. Curriculums is the standard English plural and is perfectly acceptable in most other contexts. The “correctness” depends on the tone you want to set.
2. Can I use “curricula” in a business email?
You can, but it may sound overly formal. In most business emails, curriculums is a better fit because it matches the conversational tone of workplace communication. Reserve curricula for official reports or documents addressed to academic partners.
3. What about the word “curriculum” in compound terms like “core curriculum”?
When curriculum is part of a compound noun, the same plural rules apply. For example, “core curricula” (formal) or “core curriculums” (informal). The compound does not change the plural form of the base word.
4. How do I know which plural to use if I am writing for a general audience?
For a general audience, curriculums is usually the safer choice. It is widely understood and does not risk sounding pretentious. If you are writing for an academic journal or a university policy document, use curricula. When in doubt, consider the overall tone of your piece and choose the form that matches it.
Final Tip for Learners
The best way to master the plural of curriculum is to pay attention to the context. Read how other writers use it in the type of document you are creating. If you see curricula in a university catalog, use that for your academic writing. If you hear curriculums in a team meeting, use that for your emails. Consistency within a single piece of writing is more important than choosing one form over the other.
For more help with tricky plurals, explore our guides on Confusing Plurals or check the Common Plural Forms section. If you have questions about whether a word is singular or plural, visit our Singular or Plural Checks page. For general spelling rules, see Plural Spelling Rules.
