Is Curriculum Singular or Plural?
The word curriculum is singular. It refers to one set of courses, subjects, or learning content offered by a school, course, or training program. The plural of curriculum can be either curricula (the traditional Latin plural) or curriculums (the standard English plural). Both plural forms are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts.
Quick Answer
- Singular: curriculum (one program of study)
- Plural: curricula (formal, academic, or traditional) OR curriculums (everyday, informal, or general use)
- Verb agreement: Use singular verbs with curriculum (e.g., The curriculum is…). Use plural verbs with curricula or curriculums (e.g., The curricula are…).
Understanding the Singular: Curriculum
When you talk about a single course outline, a specific program of study, or the complete set of subjects taught at one school, use curriculum. It is a countable noun, so you can say a curriculum or the curriculum.
Examples of Curriculum (Singular)
- The school’s curriculum includes mathematics, science, and literature.
- We need to update the curriculum for the advanced English class.
- Each teacher follows a curriculum designed by the department.
- Is the curriculum for this course too demanding?
Understanding the Plural: Curricula vs. Curriculums
Both curricula and curriculums are acceptable plurals. The choice depends on the tone and context of your writing or speech.
Curricula (Formal, Academic, Traditional)
Curricula is the original Latin plural. It is common in academic writing, official documents, university handbooks, and formal discussions about education policy. Use it when you want to sound precise or scholarly.
Curriculums (Informal, Everyday, General)
Curriculums follows the regular English plural rule (add -s). It is perfectly correct and widely used in emails, blog posts, casual conversation, and business contexts. It feels less stiff and more natural for everyday communication.
Comparison Table: Curriculum, Curricula, Curriculums
| Form | Number | Tone / Context | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| curriculum | Singular | All contexts | The curriculum is being revised. |
| curricula | Plural | Formal, academic, official | The curricula of several universities were compared. |
| curriculums | Plural | Informal, general, everyday | The curriculums for these workshops are ready. |
Natural Examples in Context
Here are examples showing how curriculum and its plurals appear in real writing, email, and conversation.
Email (Formal)
Dear Committee,
We have reviewed the curricula submitted by each department. Please note that the curriculum for the science program requires additional approval.
Email (Informal)
Hi Sarah,
I’ve attached the curriculums for the summer courses. Let me know if you need any changes.
Conversation
“Does your school have a strict curriculum?”
“Yes, but they also offer alternative curriculums for students who need extra support.”
Academic Writing
The study examined the curricula of five European countries. Each curriculum emphasized language acquisition differently.
Common Mistakes with Curriculum
Even advanced English learners sometimes make errors with this word. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to fix them.
Mistake 1: Using a plural verb with singular curriculum
Incorrect: The curriculum are too long.
Correct: The curriculum is too long.
Mistake 2: Using curricula as a singular noun
Incorrect: This curricula is outdated.
Correct: This curriculum is outdated. OR These curricula are outdated.
Mistake 3: Mixing plural forms in the same sentence
Incorrect: The school has two curriculums, and both curricula are effective.
Correct: The school has two curriculums, and both are effective. OR The school has two curricula, and both are effective.
Mistake 4: Overusing curricula in casual writing
If you are writing a friendly email or a blog post, curriculums sounds more natural. Using curricula in informal contexts can feel stiff or overly academic.
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you may want to avoid the curriculum/curricula/curriculums choice altogether. Here are simpler alternatives that work in many situations.
- Course list – Use for a simple list of classes. Example: Please send me the course list for next semester.
- Program of study – Use for a formal description of a degree or certificate. Example: The program of study includes four core subjects.
- Syllabus – Use for the outline of a single course. Example: The syllabus for Biology 101 is available online.
- Lesson plan – Use for a teacher’s daily or weekly guide. Example: I need to finish the lesson plan before Monday.
- Course content – Use when referring to the material taught. Example: The course content has been updated for this year.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct form of curriculum for each sentence. Answers are below.
- The new _____ for the art department includes photography and design.
a) curriculum
b) curricula
c) curriculums - Several _____ were compared during the accreditation process.
a) curriculum
b) curricula
c) curriculums - We offer three different _____ for adult learners.
a) curriculum
b) curricula
c) curriculums - This _____ is too focused on theory and not enough on practice.
a) curriculum
b) curricula
c) curriculums
Answers
- a) curriculum – Singular, referring to one department’s program.
- b) curricula or c) curriculums – Both are correct. Curricula is more formal; curriculums is fine in general writing.
- b) curricula or c) curriculums – Again, both work. Choose based on tone.
- a) curriculum – Singular, because of the word this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is curriculum countable or uncountable?
Curriculum is a countable noun. You can say one curriculum, two curriculums, or several curricula. It is not an uncountable noun like information or advice.
2. Which plural is more common in American English?
In American English, curriculums is more common in everyday writing and speech. Curricula appears more often in formal academic or administrative documents. Both are accepted.
3. Can I use curriculum for a single lesson?
No. Curriculum refers to a whole program or set of courses, not one lesson. For a single lesson, use lesson plan or class outline. For one course, use syllabus.
4. What is the difference between curriculum and syllabus?
A curriculum covers the entire scope of a program or school (e.g., all subjects taught in a grade). A syllabus is specific to one course (e.g., the topics and assignments for English 101). Think of curriculum as the big picture and syllabus as the detailed plan for one class.
Final Tip for Learners
When you are unsure which plural to use, ask yourself: Am I writing something formal or informal? If it is a research paper, official report, or university document, choose curricula. If it is an email, blog post, or conversation, choose curriculums. Either way, you will be correct. And remember: curriculum is always singular.
For more help with tricky word choices, visit our Singular or Plural Checks section. You can also explore Plural Spelling Rules and Confusing Plurals for other common questions. If you have further questions, check our FAQ page or contact us.
