Writing should feel natural. Yet one small word can bring everything to a halt. Erratum does exactly that. You see it in books, academic papers, and official notices, then hesitate. What’s the plural of erratum? Is it erratums, or is errata the correct choice?
You’re not alone. This question trips up students, writers, editors, and even professionals who deal with published content every day. The confusion doesn’t come from carelessness. It comes from history, Latin grammar, and the way English borrows words and reshapes them over time.
This guide clears the fog. You’ll learn the correct plural of erratum, why people get it wrong, how publishers and style guides handle it, and what you should actually use in real writing. By the end, you won’t second-guess yourself again.
Why This Word Causes So Much Confusion
Some grammar mistakes happen because people don’t care. This one happens because people care too much. Writers know erratum sounds formal, even scholarly. That alone makes them cautious.
The trouble starts because erratum is a Latin word, and Latin plurals don’t always behave like English ones. Add modern usage trends, and suddenly you have a perfect storm of uncertainty.
Here’s what makes it tricky:
- English usually adds -s or -es to make plurals
- Latin-based words often keep their original plural forms
- Some Latin plurals have shifted in modern English, others haven’t
- Errata sounds singular to many speakers
Put all that together, and confusion feels inevitable.
What Does “Erratum” Mean?
At its core, erratum means an error. More precisely, it refers to a mistake found in a printed or published work after publication.
You’ll most often see it used when:
- A book contains a typo or factual mistake
- A journal article needs a post-publication correction
- A publisher issues a formal correction notice
In Latin, erratum literally means “something that has wandered”, which evolved into the idea of a mistake or oversight. When English adopted the term, it kept both the meaning and the formal tone.
Today, erratum is still mainly used in professional, academic, and publishing contexts. In casual writing, people usually say error instead.
The Correct Plural of Erratum
Errata Is the Grammatically Correct Plural
The correct plural of erratum is errata. This follows the original Latin grammar rule.
In Latin:
- Words ending in -um are typically singular
- Their plural form ends in -a
Examples include:
- Datum → data
- Medium → media
- Bacterium → bacteria
- Erratum → errata
So, from a grammatical and historical standpoint, errata is the only correct plural.
You’ll see errata used consistently in:
- Academic journals
- University publications
- Publishing houses
- Legal and technical documents
Example:
The publisher released a list of errata after the book’s first printing.
That sentence is correct, formal, and widely accepted.
Is “Erratums” Ever Correct?
This is where things get interesting.
Erratums does exist in some dictionaries, usually labeled as rare or nonstandard. That doesn’t make it wrong in every context, but it does limit where it belongs.
Why does erratums appear at all?
Because English speakers naturally pluralize words by adding -s. Over time, some Latin plurals have shifted into English-style plurals. Forums and stadiums are good examples.
However, erratums hasn’t made that leap in formal writing.
Here’s the practical rule:
- In formal, academic, or professional writing, use errata
- In casual or informal writing, some readers may tolerate erratums
- In edited or published work, erratums will likely be flagged as incorrect
If credibility matters, stick with errata or simply use errors.
Erratum vs Errata: Singular and Plural Explained
This distinction matters more than it seems.
- Erratum = one error
- Errata = multiple errors
That’s it. Simple in theory, easy to mess up in practice.
Correct Examples
- This erratum appears on page 42.
- Several errata were discovered after printing.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ This errata affects the conclusion.
- ❌ An errata was issued last week.
Those sentences treat errata as singular. That’s incorrect in traditional usage.
Why “Errata” Sounds Singular to Many People
Language is shaped by sound and habit, not just rules. Errata ends in -a, which sounds singular in English. Words like agenda and pizza train our ears to hear -a as singular.
There’s also influence from other Latin-derived words:
- Data is increasingly treated as singular in modern usage
- Agenda was once plural, now universally singular
Because of that trend, many readers instinctively treat errata as singular, even though it technically isn’t.
Editors, however, still care. In professional writing, tradition wins.
Errata in Publishing, Academia, and Journalism
In publishing, precision isn’t optional. It’s expected.
How Publishers Use Erratum and Errata
- Erratum refers to a single correction
- Errata refers to a list or collection of corrections
Most books include:
- An errata page
- An errata sheet
- A published list of errata
These terms are standardized. Editors don’t debate them. They enforce them.
Related Terms You Should Know
- Correction – A general fix, often used online
- Retraction – Withdrawal of a published claim or paper
- Corrigendum – Another Latin term meaning correction, often used interchangeably with erratum
Each term carries a different weight. Using the wrong one can change the meaning entirely.
Common Phrases and Fixed Expressions
Some phrases lock the plural in place.
Errata Page
An errata page lists multiple errors. Despite the singular word page, errata remains plural because it refers to multiple mistakes.
Errata Sheet
An errata sheet is often inserted into books after printing to correct errors discovered too late to fix.
You would never write:
- ❌ erratum page
- ❌ erratum sheet
Those phrases simply aren’t used in professional English.
What Style Guides and Dictionaries Say
Style guides don’t guess. They codify usage.
Dictionary Positions
Major dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Oxford list:
- Erratum as singular
- Errata as plural
- Erratums as rare or nonstandard
Style Guide Guidance
- Chicago Manual of Style: Uses erratum/errata
- APA Style: Follows traditional Latin plural forms
- MLA Style: Recommends errata for plural usage
Across the board, errata wins in formal contexts.
Practical Writing Advice You Can Actually Use
Knowing the rule is one thing. Applying it without stress is another.
Here’s a simple decision guide:
Use “Erratum” When:
- Referring to one specific error
- Writing academically or professionally
Use “Errata” When:
- Referring to multiple errors
- Writing for publication or edited content
Avoid Both When:
- Writing casually
- Addressing a general audience
In those cases, “errors” works just fine and avoids confusion altogether.
Quick Reference Table
| Term | Singular or Plural | Correct Usage | Best Context |
| Erratum | Singular | Yes | Academic, publishing |
| Errata | Plural | Yes | Formal, professional |
| Erratums | Plural | Rare | Informal only |
| Errors | Plural | Yes | General writing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is errata singular or plural?
Errata is plural. The singular form is erratum.
Can erratum be used casually?
It can, but it often sounds overly formal. Error fits better in everyday writing.
Why not just say “errors”?
You absolutely can. Many writers do. Erratum is mainly useful when you want precision or formality.
Is usage changing over time?
Slowly, yes. But in professional writing, traditional usage still dominates.
Conclusion
Language has a way of testing even confident writers, and erratum is a perfect example. At first glance, the plural form feels uncertain. Once you understand its roots, though, the answer becomes clear. Erratum refers to a single mistake, while errata describes multiple errors found after publication. That distinction hasn’t changed, even as English continues to evolve.
In formal writing, academic work, and professional publishing, errata remains the correct and trusted plural. Editors expect it. Style guides support it. Readers familiar with scholarly writing recognize it instantly. While erratums may appear occasionally in informal contexts, relying on it can weaken credibility where precision matters.
