Appendix or Plural of Appendices? Clarifying Usage

Appendix In the world of academic writing, business reports, and formal documents, the terms appendices and appendixes often spark debate. Which one is correct? Which is more appropriate in various contexts?

Whether you’re drafting a business report, preparing a formal writing piece, or dealing with supplementary materials in an academic paper, understanding the correct usage of these terms can enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

In this article, we will break down the differences between appendices vs appendixes, clarify when to use each term, and explore the nuances in different contexts. Through scenario-based examples and detailed explanations, we’ll navigate the plural form of appendix and its use in various writing styles, including business writing, academic writing, and informal writing.

The Plural of Appendix: Appendices vs Appendixes

What is the Correct Plural?

The word appendix comes from Latin, and like many Latin-based words, its plural form can be a source of confusion. The two primary forms of the plural are appendices and appendixes. But which one should you use? Let’s take a closer look.

1. Appendices: This is the more traditional and widely accepted plural form. It adheres to classical Latin grammar rules, where the plural of words ending in -ix typically change to -ices. This form is more commonly used in formal writing and academic contexts.
2. Appendixes: This form follows the standard rule of English grammar where we simply add an “es” to words ending in “x” to make them plural. This is more informal, and though it’s widely accepted in general usage, it might not be the best choice in more scholarly or formal settings.

Which One to Choose?

Both forms are technically correct, but the choice often depends on the context and your writing style preference. Here’s a quick guide:

• Appendices is preferred in academic writing, business reports, and formal writing.
• Appendixes tends to be used more in informal writing and casual contexts.

Now, let’s dive into some scenarios to see how each is used in practice.

Scenario Examples: Using Appendices vs Appendixes

Example 1: Formal Academic Paper

Imagine you are writing an academic paper on environmental science. You’ve included supplementary content like data tables and additional explanations that are crucial for your research but too detailed for the main body. You’d typically refer to these additional materials as appendices.

Email to Professor Smith:

Dear Professor Smith,
I hope this email finds you well. I’ve attached the document on my research findings, with appendices containing detailed data sets and additional charts for your review. Please let me know if you need further clarification on any point.
Kind regards,
Emily Johnson

In this case, appendices is the appropriate choice because of the formal academic nature of the work.

Example 2: Business Report

In a business report, you may need to reference detailed financial statements or charts that are included at the end of the document. Here’s an example of how you might use appendices.

Business Email to a Client:

Dear Mr. Anderson,
I wanted to follow up on the quarterly report I sent earlier today. As mentioned, the appendices contain the full breakdown of the financial analysis for your review. If you have any questions or need further explanations, feel free to reach out.
Best regards,
John Walker
Financial Analyst, XYZ Corp.

Here again, appendices is the appropriate plural because it reflects the formal tone and the professional setting.

Example 3: Informal Writing

Let’s now imagine a more casual context, like an email to a friend or colleague. In this case, you might use appendixes, as it’s more relaxed and less formal.

Email to a Friend:

Hey Sarah,
I’ve attached the report on our project. I included a couple of appendixes at the end that show some extra data I thought you might find interesting. Let me know what you think!
Cheers,
Tom

In this informal context, appendixes fits because the tone is conversational and less formal.

Understanding the Usage of Appendices in Different Contexts

Now that we’ve seen examples of both forms, let’s dive into the specifics of how appendices and appendixes are used in different contexts. Understanding the difference can help ensure you select the correct plural form depending on your writing style and the formality of the document.

1. Academic Writing:

In academic writing, precision is key. You’ll often need to reference additional material such as data, charts, or research notes, which are typically placed in the appendices. Whether you’re writing a thesis, dissertation, or journal article, the plural appendices will likely be your go-to.

Example:

“For further analysis, see the appendices at the end of this report, where the full set of survey results and graphs are provided.”

2. Business Writing:

Similarly, business reports often include supplementary content that would be placed in appendices. This might include financial records, raw data, or other detailed material that supports the main content but doesn’t fit within the core of the report.

Example:

“As noted in the appendices, the detailed quarterly performance metrics are outlined in the following tables.”

3. Informal Writing:

In informal writing, like emails or casual blog posts, you may see appendixes used more frequently. It’s a bit more relaxed and reflects the less rigid grammar conventions of everyday language.

Example:

“Check out the appendixes for the full details on our conversation last week.”

How to Choose Between Appendices and Appendixes

When deciding between appendices and appendixes, the decision typically hinges on formality.

• Use appendices in academic, formal, and professional contexts (like reports, research papers, or formal business correspondence).
• Use appendixes in informal contexts or when writing for a general audience.

Ultimately, both forms are accepted in modern usage, but the more widely recognized and formal option is appendices.

Understanding Grammar and Usage

While both appendices and appendixes are grammatically acceptable, it’s important to remember the following grammar conventions:

• Appendices follows traditional Latin-based grammar rules.
• Appendixes adheres to a more Anglo-Saxon pluralization pattern.

This means that appendices tends to be the preferred form in more formal writing and academic contexts.

Table: Appendix vs Appendices Usage

Here’s a quick reference table summarizing when to use each term:

Context	Use of Plural	Example Usage
Formal Writing	Appendices	“Refer to the appendices for detailed figures.”
Academic Writing	Appendices	“The appendices contain further statistical data.”
Business Reports	Appendices	“See the appendices for financial statements.”
Informal Writing	Appendixes	“Check out the appendixes for more details.”

Pronunciation of Appendices

One common question that often arises when discussing appendices vs appendixes is the pronunciation of the plural forms. The pronunciation for both forms is quite similar, though you’ll hear more frequent use of the term appendices in formal speech.

• Appendices is typically pronounced as /əˈpɛndɪsiːz/.
• Appendixes is pronounced as /əˈpɛndɪksɪz/.

Regardless of which form you choose to write, the pronunciation tends to remain fairly consistent.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts on Appendices or Appendixes

To sum up, appendices vs appendixes is a matter of context and formality. While both plural forms are grammatically correct, appendices remains the more formal choice and is preferred in academic, business, and official contexts. Appendixes, on the other hand, is more casual and often used in everyday communication.

So, the next time you’re faced with the choice of the plural of appendix, consider your writing style and the tone of the document. Whether you’re preparing a business report, an academic paper, or an informal email, choosing the right form will ensure your writing sounds polished and appropriate.