This template allows easy formatting of statements of the form "# thing(s)", with correct use of plurals. It uses the "plural" magic word, so it should work in other languages with minimal modification.

Usage

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With a space between the number and name (using numeric character reference  ):

  • {{plural|number|name}}
  • {{plural|number|singular name|plural name}}

With a non-breaking space between the number and name (using character entity reference  ):

  • {{plural|number|name|nb=yes}}
  • {{plural|number|singular name|plural name|nb=yes}}

Examples

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For most English nouns, the plural is formed by adding "s" to the end of the singular form. If that is the case, only one "name" parameter is required:

  • {{plural|0|page}} returns "0 pages"
  • {{plural|1|page}} returns "1 page"
  • {{plural|2|page}} returns "2 pages"
  • {{plural|-1|page}} returns "-1 page"
  • {{plural|-2|page}} returns "-2 pages"
  • {{plural|0.5|page}} returns "0.5 pages"
  • {{plural|1.5|page}} returns "1.5 pages"
  • {{plural|-0.5|page}} returns "-0.5 pages"
  • {{plural|-1.5|page}} returns "-1.5 pages"

For plurals that require adding "es", or more unusual forms, the singular and plural forms must be specified explicitly:

  • {{plural|0|ox|oxen}} returns "0 oxen"
  • {{plural|1|ox|oxen}} returns "1 ox"
  • {{plural|2|ox|oxen}} returns "2 oxen"
  • {{plural|-1|ox|oxen}} returns "-1 ox"
  • {{plural|-2|ox|oxen}} returns "-2 oxen"
  • {{plural|0.5|ox|oxen}} returns "0.5 oxen"
  • {{plural|1.5|ox|oxen}} returns "1.5 oxen"
  • {{plural|-0.5|ox|oxen}} returns "-0.5 oxen"
  • {{plural|-1.5|ox|oxen}} returns "-1.5 oxen"

With parameter |nb=:

  • <div style="width:5em">{{plural|2|sesquipedalian|nb=yes}}</div> returns:
    2 sesquipedalians
  • <div style="width:5em">{{plural|2|sesquipedalian|nb=no}}</div> returns:
    2 sesquipedalians

Notes

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  • While {{plural|#|sheep|sheep}} is valid, it is also fairly pointless.
  • The template does not handle missing parameters 1 or 2: {{plural}} returns "{{{1}}} {{{2}}}s"
  • The template does not handle empty parameters 1 or 2: {{plural||}} returns " s"
  • The template does not remove leading or trailing spaces in parameters 1 or 2: {{plural | 2 | page }} returns " 2 page s"

TemplateData

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This is the TemplateData for this template used by TemplateWizard, VisualEditor and other tools. See a monthly parameter usage report for Template:Plural in articles based on its TemplateData.

TemplateData for Plural

Allows easy formatting of statements using plural.

Template parameters

ParameterDescriptionTypeStatus
Number1

The number of items: 0, 1, 2 etc.

Numberrequired
Singular name2

The text to use when one item is specified

Stringrequired
plural name3

The text to use when two or more items are specified. The default is to append the singular form with 's'.

Stringoptional
44

no description

Unknownoptional
nbnb

no description

Unknownoptional

See also

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